The Ming Dynasty: Starting with Emperor Chongzhen's crackdown on factionalism

Cheng Jiming spoke first, his voice steady as an ancient bell.

"Your Majesty, I have carefully read Chen's memorial. His analysis of the shortcomings of Wang Anshi's reforms, drawing on historical examples, is indeed insightful."

The argument for a "responsibility system for speech" also hits the nail on the head regarding current problems.

The former prime minister paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his cloudy eyes.

"However, the laws and regulations of our dynasty are the culmination of a century of accumulation by our ancestors."

"The purpose of the censors and officials reporting matters based on hearsay is to broaden the channels of communication and enable the people's sentiments to reach the emperor."

"If those who speak out are forced to bear responsibility, it may discourage loyal and honest advice and block the path for the emperor to hear."

"Although the method of recommending and punishing the recommender has existed since ancient times, talented people are hard to find. If the recommender is implicated because of one person's mistake, I fear that no one in the court will dare to recommend virtuous and talented people in the future, which will instead become a problem of obstruction."

Chen Zhiyuan stood with his head bowed, understanding the situation perfectly.

Cheng Jiming's words, seemingly fair, were in fact a complete denial.

"Opening up channels for public opinion" is a serious accusation, "blocking the emperor's ears" is a grave charge, and "no one dares to recommend virtuous and capable people" directly points out Zhu Youjian's most pressing concern.

After the Yuan Chonghuan case, the court officials remained silent, and the position of commander of Liaodong was vacant for several months, with no one daring to recommend him.

Zhu Youjian frowned slightly, remained silent, and looked at Zhou Yanru.

"What does Mr. Zhou think?"

Zhou Yanru is only in his early forties, with a lean face and sharp eyes.

He stepped out of the line half a step, his voice clear and melodious.

"In my opinion, the eight characters in Compiler Chen's memorial, 'The harm of factions is clear from history,' are truly a wake-up call."

"In the current court, there are indeed factions and selfish motives."

He then changed the subject.

"However, governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. The failure of Wang Anshi's reforms was not only due to the lack of clarity regarding 'responsibility for speech,' but also because he was too hasty and implemented reforms too abruptly."

"If we were to abruptly change a century-old law and forcefully implement the principle of 'joint liability for speech,' it would likely cause turmoil in the government and among the people, which would not be a blessing for the country."

Zhou Yanru raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Chen Zhiyuan, his tone becoming meaningful.

"Furthermore, although the spirit of the compiler Chen, a member of the Hanlin Academy, is commendable when discussing official administration and military affairs, he has never experienced the local government and is not familiar with practical matters."

"What you learn from books is never enough; you should carefully consider the words of the ancients."

That's even more venomous.

First, they praised him with the phrase "a wake-up call," then implied that Chen Zhiyuan was young and impetuous by saying "too hasty," and then directly denied his qualifications to offer advice by saying that he "has no experience in prefectures and counties and is not familiar with practical matters."

Finally, the saying "What you learn from books is never enough" further belittled the entire memorial as mere empty talk by a scholar.

Chen Zhiyuan felt Zhu Youjian's gaze fall on him.

The gaze was almost tangible, carrying scrutiny, suspicion, and a hint of faint expectation.

"Chen Zhiyuan," Zhu Youjian said, his voice not loud, but everyone on the platform could hear him clearly.

"I have read your memorial three times."

Chen Zhiyuan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am deeply apprehensive."

"Fearful?" Zhu Youjian's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

"When I read your memorials, I saw that you were not afraid. 'Those who speak must bear the responsibility, those who act must bear the consequences of their actions, and those who make recommendations must ensure their recommendations.' How resounding are these words."

"Tell me, if everyone in the court followed this approach, could the fate of Yuan Chonghuan have been avoided?"

Problems are like knives, piercing straight to the heart of the matter.

Cheng Jiming and Zhou Yanru both lowered their eyes at the same time.

Chen Zhiyuan was silent for a moment, then raised his head to meet Zhu Youjian's gaze.

"Your Majesty, I dare not presume to judge what has already been accomplished."

"However, if the 'responsibility system for speech' had been established earlier, then Governor Yuan might not have dared to lightly grant the promise of pacifying Liaodong in five years."

"Those who recommended Commander-in-Chief Yuan dared not fail to examine his abilities."

Those who impeach Governor Yuan dare not fail to present solid evidence.

"In this way, the matter will be clear and the responsibility will be assigned, so that things will not be like they are now—Your Majesty makes decisions unilaterally, yet you bear the scorn of the world."

"The court officials each had their own version of events, but none of them were willing to take responsibility."

The platform was deathly silent.

The north wind blew even harder, making everyone's robes flutter loudly.

Zhu Youjian stared at Chen Zhiyuan, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

After a long silence, he slowly said, "You make it sound so easy. If I had established this system earlier, Yuan Chonghuan wouldn't have dared to promise it. Then, who would have taken responsibility for the affairs of Liaodong?"

"Among all the civil and military officials, is there even one who dares to sign a pledge of military discipline?"

Chen Zhiyuan said, "It is precisely because no one dares to take the position that we see the falsity."

"Your Majesty, pacifying Liaodong in five years is simply impossible."

"Jianzhou has grown powerful for a long time. Liaodong has suffered from years of war, its city walls are dilapidated, soldiers have fled, and money and food are scarce."

"Even if Sun Tzu were to be reborn or Bai Qi were to be reborn, I would not dare to say that we could recover the entire Liaodong region in five years."

"Governor Yuan dared to make this promise not because he was truly confident, but simply to curry favor with his superiors."

"How dare you!" Zhou Yanru shouted sternly.

"Editor Chen, how dare you speak so recklessly about military and national affairs!"

Cheng Jiming also said in a deep voice.

"Editor Chen, be careful what you say before His Majesty."

Zhu Youjian raised his hand to stop the two.

He looked at Chen Zhiyuan with a complicated expression.

"You mean, Yuan Chonghuan deceived the emperor?"

Chen Zhiyuan said, "I dare not make a rash judgment. I only want to say that if there had been a 'responsibility system for speech' at that time, then when Governor Yuan made the promise, there would have been court officials who questioned him."

"What is the basis for the five-year term? How many soldiers are there? Where will the provisions and pay come from?"

"If it fails, what is the punishment? If one makes a promise lightly without understanding the matter, it is deception."

"If one still allows something even when everything is clear, then that is loyalty and courage. Right and wrong are obvious at a glance."

"How did things come to this—Governor Yuan is imprisoned, those who recommended him are imprisoned, those who impeached him are also criticized, yet His Majesty's divine judgment has caused a public outcry?"

"This is all because promises were made lightly and responsibilities were not clearly defined."

Zhu Youjian remained silent.

He walked a couple of steps on the platform with his hands behind his back.

The wind lifted the corner of his bright yellow robe, revealing a pair of worn-out boots.

Chen Zhiyuan noticed this detail—historical records show that Zhu Youjian was frugal, owning only a few sets of everyday clothes, and even wearing worn-out boots.

"Responsibility unclear..."

Zhu Youjian repeated those four words in a low voice, then suddenly turned around.

"Chen Zhiyuan, in your memorial you said that the 'responsibility system for speech' has existed since ancient times."

"Shun ordered Yu to control the floods, and Yu established a military order; Emperor Wu of Han employed Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, and clearly defined rewards and punishments."

"I know all that. But tell me, specifically for this dynasty, what should be done?"

"Should every official who submits a memorial be required to sign a pledge beforehand?"

"Should every minister who makes a recommendation sign and affix their seal to vouch for the person they recommend?"

A series of questions made Chen Zhiyuan truly feel Zhu Youjian's impatience and pragmatism.

Chen Zhiyuan said, "Your Majesty, signing military orders and affixing seals are all just formalities."

"In my opinion, the key lies not in the form, but in the spirit—officials should be responsible for their words and deeds."

"This is the most basic requirement for an official."

"The most basic?" Zhu Youjian sneered.

"Do you know how many memorials are submitted to the court every day? The Office of Transmission submits no less than a hundred every day, and I read them all, often until midnight."

"If officials are held 'responsible' for every memorial to the throne, how can anything be done?"

Chen Zhiyuan said, "It is precisely because there are too many memorials that I need to take responsibility."

"Your Majesty, if those who speak out are held accountable, then those who submit memorials will have to think thrice: Is this statement based on evidence? Is this matter true? Is this plan feasible? In this way, falsehoods will naturally disappear, and truthful words will emerge."

A strange light flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes.

"You mean, officials should think things through before they speak?"

"That's not all." Chen Zhiyuan took a deep breath.

"Your Majesty, the essence of responsibility lies not in words but in actions."

"Officials cannot just talk big; they must have something to say."

"If you want to speak meaningfully, you must first know why it is so. To know why it is so, you need to conduct research."

"Research?" Zhu Youjian frowned.

What is research?