Chaos of Ming 1628

"Quick! Stop him!" Yang Qingqing reacted quickly, slamming the window shut and having someone pin him to the ground.

Fan Wen, however, was like a fish out of water, struggling desperately, wanting to die.

The meeting was in complete chaos, and I tried my best to dissuade them.

When Song Xiangang opened his mouth, he wanted to die even more.

"No one can persuade him otherwise, so we'd better tie him up quickly, lest something really happens."

"Quick, quickly gag him, lest he bite his tongue."

As soon as Sun Qing approached, Yang Qingqing hurriedly pulled him aside, saying, "Young Master Sun, you shouldn't go. No one can persuade you otherwise."

"Given his condition, I'm afraid the only option is to use force first, then gradually calm him down and persuade him patiently."

Sun Qing sighed softly.

Although Fan Wen was not a man of great talent for governing the world, he was not a complete fool either. Since his research was correct, according to Sun Qing's opinion, Fan Wen's essay was at least in the top ten, if not the top scholar.

However, his upbringing made him stand out from the crowd, and he couldn't stand failure, so he would ponder and think things through.

As a professor, Sun Qing was no stranger to this kind of thing. Even among his students, there were quite a few like him.

In their hometown, they were unique golden carp, but in Beijing, the entire school was filled with golden carp. Walking around the campus, it was almost impossible to tell them apart.

Some couldn't handle the contrast and contemplated suicide, others became despondent, while others grew and forged ahead against the current.

Sun Qing saw this and, ignoring the obstruction or angry looks from others, squatted down beside him with practiced ease, without any harshness or humiliation, nor any insightful understanding: "You don't need to do this."

Before he could even open his mouth, Fan Wen's emotions flared even more: "You won, and you still dare to humiliate me?"

He was so ashamed and indignant that he wanted to bite his tongue and commit suicide.

"Young Master Sun, why don't you retreat for now?" someone said, unable to bear it.

Sun Qing didn't move an inch, his words ringing out firmly: "The fact that your article is grammatically correct and follows proper parallelism at least shows that you are calm and composed and willing to put in hard work. This alone is a foundation that countless people cannot match."

"The reason you will lose to me today is not because of your skill in calligraphy and painting, but because you cling to the past and are trapped by your prejudices."

After Sun Qing finished speaking, Fan Wen stopped struggling and instead stared at Sun Qing.

"You have studied the Four Books and Five Classics diligently, but you have never thought about this principle. The sages established the word 'sincerity' to educate people, not to talk about self-cultivation or discuss the way of heaven in vain."

Fan Wen remained silent, simply sitting there, staring blankly at Sun Qing.

Song Xian's eyes shone brightly as he looked at Sun Qing, with even more appreciation in his gaze. He drank cup after cup of tea.

Sun Qing said a lot, and seeing that there was a light in his eyes, he said, "When we study, we should not only look at the books, but also listen to the voices of the people."

"A narrow-minded perspective and unbalanced learning do not mean you are a lifelong failure. However, to despair over temporary gains or losses is to betray your years of hard work and the noble principles of sages. This is the greatest folly!"

Sun Qing's teachings extended far beyond just him; everyone present was deeply moved.

Even Song Xian and Yang Qingqing had their eyes wandering, as if they were thinking about something.

These words struck like a thunderbolt, instantly waking the person from their dream.

Fan Wen trembled all over and suddenly burst into tears, just like a three-year-old child.

Seeing this, Song Xian sighed softly, knowing that the man had been persuaded and would not continue to seek death.

He beckoned the doormen: "You will escort Young Master Fan home."

If the essay just now showcased talent that had already impressed everyone, then this lesson has truly inspired and motivated people.

The boy before me was no more than sixteen, yet his knowledge, literary talent, and magnanimity far surpassed those of everyone present.

As soon as Fan Wen left, the atmosphere immediately ignited.

Everyone who was just moments ago was now gathered around Sun Qing.

"Young Master Sun, what are your thoughts on the saying in *The Great Learning*, 'Cultivate oneself before regulating one's family'?"

"Extensive learning and firm resolve—benevolence resides within them. But how should benevolence be explained?"

"besides……"

From the Analects to Mencius and then to the Great Learning, I asked them all.

To be honest, Sun Qing didn't find it annoying at all. On the contrary, he was happy to answer questions and even more willing to discuss history and literature with everyone in the literary society.

After all, this was a perspective he had never encountered before: the views of Ming Dynasty literati on classical literature, rather than the insights of modern people.

As the discussion was in full swing, Yang Qingqing suddenly said loudly, "Everyone, Mr. Song has already posed two questions. Today, as one of the leaders of the literary association, I also have a question. I invite everyone to debate it."

No one expected that Yang Qingqing would actually set a question.

Since it was the organizers who funded this literary gathering, it wouldn't be polite to refuse.

Even Song Xian politely said, "Miss Yang, please give me a question."

No one cared. Although Yang Qingqing was talented, she was just a woman. How much vision could she possibly have?

It's nothing more than romantic topics and love between men and women.

These disdainful looks were not unsettling to Yang Qingqing. She knew exactly how they thought of her.

His gaze swept over the crowd, and his words fell clearly: "My question is quite simple; in fact, everyone can answer it."

"Miss Yang, please speak freely," someone urged.

Yang Qingqing smiled and said, "As for the eunuch faction's poisoning of the court and the public, they should be either eradicated or spared."

Sun Qing raised her eyelids slightly. Yang Qingqing is really interesting.

On September 14, Yang Weiyuan defected and impeached Cui Chengxiu. Only after seeing Zhu Youjian's reaction did the court officials realize the emperor's attitude towards the eunuch faction.

At this moment, the matter has not yet escalated. People in the capital are unaware that the emperor intends to eliminate the eunuch faction, let alone those in the county towns.

The eunuch faction still wields considerable power, and no one dares to utter a word when this topic is mentioned.

"You need not be afraid. There are no places with fewer spies than here. Moreover, my servants will never allow any unrelated person to enter." Yang Qingqing's tone was serious, and her seriousness had become somewhat sharper.

"Speak freely, what's there to be afraid of?" one man stepped forward, wearing only a square scarf. "If these things can't even be discussed at literary gatherings, then where else can we vent our feelings?"

"Yes, then say it. What are you afraid of!"

"Even if he's capable, can he really kill all the scholars in the world?"

The mere mention of the eunuch faction ignited the anger of the scholars, instantly dispelling the previously refined atmosphere.

The first person to stop spoke in a trembling voice: "That eunuch is nothing but a mere criminal, yet he dares to usurp the emperor's authority. He calls himself the Nine Thousand Years Old and forcibly built a shrine for him."

"Yes, they oppressed the people, forced them to donate money, and the Eastern Depot's agents were even more rampant."

"Even upright gentlemen like Yang and Zuo were framed by them and died tragically in prison, their flesh mangled."

"These treacherous officials who bring disaster to the country must be completely eradicated, leaving no one alive."

The scholar who had not spoken before slowly opened his mouth, his words somber: "Alas, eunuchs interfere in politics, divide imperial power, and isolate the emperor. The eunuch faction, those petty scoundrels who fawn over Wei Zhongxian, should all be dealt with one by one to prevent future troubles."

At this moment, the few people who had been sitting silently in the corner stood up: "The war in Liaodong is critical, and military funds are scarce. Yet the eunuch faction is still squandering money and building shrines for the living."

"The key to change is that those who fought bloody battles received no compensation. Without eliminating the eunuch faction, there will never be a day of clean governance. The national treasury is empty, border defenses are neglected, and the existence of the nation hangs by a thread."

This group spoke out with indignation and showed no mercy.

Song Xian glanced at Yang Qingqing, saw that her eyes were dim, and kept his mouth shut without saying anything more.

Only a very faint voice, meekly and submissively, said: "The eunuch faction is deeply entrenched and colludes with each other. If they were to rise again one day, the upright officials might seek to massacre them again! It's better not to invite trouble upon ourselves."

Yang Qingqing's eyes looked even more dejected.

Regardless of who it is, it all boils down to one sentence: the eunuch faction must be eliminated, and there is no time to lose.

Yang Qingqing lowered her head, looking dejected.

"I have a different opinion," Sun Qing suddenly spoke up. "I believe that while the eunuch faction deserves to be executed, they shouldn't be wiped out entirely. Especially Wei Zhongxian; he shouldn't be killed, he should be kept alive!"