Chapter 198: Sencha with snow and ice wine
Long sky, who is this?
Youyou Heaven, what kind of person is this?
This is a simple question from the Book of Songs. If taken out of context, it does not contain too strong emotional connotations.
But the content of this banner is already considered a naked insult.
Who is this person who orders the land to be cleared but favors his own property outside the law? who promotes the liquidation of households but protects his relatives for personal gain?
Or to put it more bluntly, this is not a human being.
Or deliberately unfurling banners where the emperor passes, what is the difference between pointing at the nose and insulting him?
This is no longer an ordinary scholar!
There was no need for the emperor to say anything, and the dragon boat slowly docked at the Wuqing Hexi Station unplanned on the grounds of minor repairs.
The officials of the Six Departments attached great importance to it. The chief eunuch of the Bureau of Ceremony made important instructions. Hu Zhili, the governor of Shuntian, and Wang Zhiyuan, the governor of the palace, deeply understood the importance of the situation and started working quickly. Together with Jinyiwei and Dongchang, they went all out to solve the problem as soon as possible.
Inside, a group of scholars were "invited" over.
…
"Four Doors Club?"
In the room on the second floor of the inn, Zhu Yijun sat on a chair covered with layers of satin and fur, and asked Hu Zhili in surprise.
Before the emperor summoned them, it was necessary to confirm the danger of these scholars. Strip searches, identification, and simple interrogations were all essential.
Therefore, regardless of whether they are interested or not, the Liubu Hall officials, Jin Yiwei, Si Lijian and others are gathered in the lobby of the post station downstairs for a meeting.
Only Governor Suncheon went upstairs to make a simple report.
The ministers and Zhongshushe in the room were looking at each other. Xu Jie, who was standing next to the emperor, couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in surprise when he heard Hu Zhili's words.
Facing the emperor's questioning, Hu Zhili turned to the door, stood respectfully opposite the Eight Immortals Square Table, bent down and replied: "Your Majesty, this is an association founded by a fugitive garrison wanted criminal named Liang Ruyuan."
"The seven scholars who spread rumors today are all subordinates of the Four Gates Society."
"It's a pity that Liang Ruyuan was not caught."
Regarding the troubles that occurred in the country, Hu Zhili did not hesitate to advance or retreat, but remained calm and tried his best to deal with the aftermath.
Governor Hu was a Jinshi and started at the local grassroots level. When he was a promotion official in Baoning Prefecture, Sichuan, he had a reputation for "catching traitors and subduing them, and being strict in power and law".
After that, it worked hard for decades in the central hub. Although it is not well-known, the quality is excellent, especially in Sichuan and Hexi areas. It is almost as famous as Hai Rui. Nowadays, the central hub has experienced several waves, and more and more people like this are coming to the fore.
.
After hearing what Hu Zhili said, Zhu Yijun felt that it was expected. The association founded by wanted criminals was indeed not an ordinary scholar.
But the name Liang Ruyuan seems a bit familiar.
Zhu Yijun recalled it for a moment but didn't remember it, so he said, "Hu Qing, please tell me in detail."
Hu Zhili had prepared a draft before going upstairs.
When the emperor asked at this time, he did not hesitate and said: "Your Majesty, Liang Ruyuan was born in a wealthy family in Yongfeng County, Jiangxi Province. He obtained the title of civil servant. Later, he went astray, abandoned the imperial examination, and indulged in heresy and lewdness."
"Around the 30th year of Jiajing, he founded the Jutang Hall within the clan to collect grain and pay the rent. In the 38th year of Jiajing, he led his tribe to resist taxes and killed six officials, including Wu Shanwu, and was sentenced to death by hanging."
"Afterwards, Hu Zongxian went to the Jiangxi governor's office to plead for mercy. Jiangxi governor He Qian privately exempted him from hanging and moved him to garrison in Guizhou. But even so, Liang Ruyuan did not garrison in Guizhou and ran away halfway."
Halfway through his words, Hu Zhili paused to give the emperor time to remember and react.
When Zhu Yijun heard this, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
The strength of local wealthy families is truly reflected in all aspects.
The tax resistance mentioned by Hu Zhili was very common in the Ming Dynasty. After all, there were so many exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes. If you really want to abide by the law and pay taxes, you will never live that day.
Because of this, it is very common for Liang Ruyuan, as a local powerful family, to have conflicts with the government. Such conflicts can range from gentle negotiations to fierce fighting.
Likewise, the outcome of this incident is also very common, or rather typical.
Local wealthy families attack hard, and ordinary county and government offices often can only suffer in silence.
Just like Liang Ruyuan, after he killed six officials, not only did he change his execution from hanging to exile, he didn't even have to serve a real sentence.
So, what will the colleagues of the deceased think, and what will they do if a wealthy family resists tax collection next time? That depends on the opinion of different people.
Zhu Yijun couldn't tell who was the vulnerable group for a while.
Taking advantage of this gap, Xu Jie, who was behind the emperor, suddenly interjected: "Your Majesty, I have heard a thing or two about this matter. The so-called tax resistance is Liang Ruyuan's invasion of the emperor's wood and silver."
Zhu Yijun turned around and glanced at Xu Jie.
Imperial wood refers to the wood purchased for the emperor. In "Jin Ping Mei", Ximen Qing discovered that officials had embezzled imperial wood.
The money spent on purchasing royal wood was deducted from local tax revenue - when officials from the outer Yamen purchased various materials, wax, royal wood and other items, they all received silver from the original place, which was deducted against taxes and levies.
Logically speaking, taxes should not be collected from the people again.
Then the reason why Liang Ruyuan resisted the tax is worth discussing.
Apparently, it was the local government's extra tax on imperial wood that triggered Liang Ruyuan's wealthy family to confront the government.
The laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty were very rigid, especially reflected in the legal provisions, which were extremely complete.
Since taxes are illegally collected, how can it be said to be tax resistance?
The laws of the Ming Dynasty were very flexible, especially in terms of discretion.
The government made a mistake in the first place, and the people rose up to resist. They just accidentally killed someone during the conflict. How can they be guilty? Not only is they not guilty, but they also deserve to be called Confucian Xia!
So, when Xu Jie said this, was he simply supplementing the cause and effect, or was he exonerating Liang Ruyuan?
Zhu Yijun had doubts in his heart, but did not reveal it. He just motioned for Hu Zhili to continue.
Hu Zhili glanced at Xu Jie with some dissatisfaction.
Then he withdrew his gaze and continued: "After he escaped the sentence of guarding the border, he sneaked into the capital under the pseudonym He Xinyin, and then founded the Four Gates Guild Hall. Under the name of the Four Gates Guild, he gathered together to spread heresy and obscenity..."
Halfway through the words.
I saw the emperor looking like he suddenly realized something and said "Oh."
"Oh! He Xinyin!" Zhu Yijun interrupted Hu Zhili, turned to look at Xu Jie, and sneered, "No wonder Master Xu has heard a thing or two about it."
He didn't know much about Liang Ruyuan, but when the name He Xinyin was mentioned, he immediately recognized it.
Daqing is a pseudonym.
If it is He Xinyin, then it is no wonder that Hu Zhili speaks heresy when he opens and shuts his mouth. His philosophy really deserves this title.
He Xinyin advocated that monarch and minister, father and son, husband and wife, brothers, these categories cannot reflect people's "perfect goodness", only "friends" can.
Fathers and sons, monarchs and ministers cannot escape the ordinary narrow barriers. Only the friendship between friends is acquired and innate. It can be said that friendship is the ultimate expression of social relations and the foundation for people to realize the transcendence of self-awareness.
Since friends are so important, how do you kiss your friends, that is, how do you practice it?
That is to break away from ordinary net worth and establish a friendship relationship that goes beyond net worth. People with the same ideals should come together to make friends based on common aspirations. He calls this "meeting".
Different ideas can gather different "assemblies" to govern the world.
The families of scholars, farmers, industry and commerce all over the world are all hidden in the guild, and scholars, peasants, industry and commerce, and even the emperor are just different statuses and professions in the "hui", regardless of high or low - of course, not all identities can be included, just like
He Xinyin thought that the nobles were industrious, indifferent, had neither talent nor virtue, could not be considered a profession, they were just parasites, and were not qualified to join any society.
This kind of theory is evaluated as deviant and should be treated lightly.
For those who have begun to show signs of overthrowing the emperor, as long as the government has a respectful heart, they will consciously arrest him.
But.
After this kind of Confucian knight-errant gathers a certain amount of power, social relations cannot be simplified even if you want to simplify it. Just like the hero Shao Yi and Fang Yushi are secretly Gao Gong's minions, after He Xinyin gathers power, there are also people to win over him.
Lu Guang, a member of He Xinyin's sect, was Xu Jie's guest.
He Xinyin's retainer, the alchemist Lan Daoxing, was the trigger for Yan Song's overthrow - Lan Daoxing translated the immortal words to Emperor Shizong, which said, "Song is traitorous but Jie Zhong is loyal." Everyone said that it was Xu Jie who instigated it.
The yamen was naturally wary of such unclear information, so they turned a blind eye to He Xinyin. Anyway, the emperor could not know everything about the world.
As for Xu Jie, who was suspected of holding an umbrella for him back then, I'm afraid it wasn't as simple as just hearing about it.
Facing the emperor's sneer, Xu Jie's eyelids twitched.
The emperor had clearly shown no understanding before, so he followed his habit for many years and took the opportunity to speak quietly.
Who would have known that the emperor would change into the clear-cut expression in the blink of an eye.
Xu Jie quickly clarified: "Your Majesty, I only heard about him when I was assisting in the cabinet, but now I have not heard about him for more than ten years."
It's not a taboo to mention cause and effect casually, but it would be unethical if you have to hold your neck to help.
When Zhu Yijun heard this, he did not comment.
He turned his head and looked at Hu Zhili: "Then why did this person lead the members to insult me?"
In the field of public opinion, the stronger the person, the weaker the person, and the weaker the person, the stronger.
The imperial censor Tan Yao could only secretly slander and ridicule the court in order to arouse the resonance of some people; and these scholars in the opposition could assassinate the emperor, and the scholars would naturally identify with him; if it were the common people who scolded him, the public opinion of the world would be affected.
Most people will directly prefer the latter.
Therefore, there are different ways to deal with insults from different people.
Hu Zhili bowed respectfully and apologized, and then replied: "Your Majesty, according to the confessions of several criminals..."
He paused and said hesitantly: "They all claimed to have seen the emperor's lawlessness and their relatives were arrogant, so they did such things in a moment of righteous indignation."
Of course this is embellished, and the words used to criticize the emperor cannot be reproduced verbatim.
Zhu Yijun curled his lips when he heard this: "Seriously?"
It's okay for him to be a simple and angry young man. He is still willing to tolerate being scolded. After all, although his vision is limited, his position is okay.
But looking at this posture, he does not look like a young scholar out of anger.
Just saying that this precision is blocking the road that must be passed is not like a mere hothead.
After all, the emperor's whereabouts are not some roadside news that can be made public at any time.
Hu Zhili looked hesitant and stopped talking.
Seeing this, Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Let's go, I'll go down and ask myself."
After that, he slowly stood up and walked out of the room.
Everyone quickly followed and followed closely behind.
…
In the lobby of the station on the first floor.
The original post guards were driven elsewhere and replaced by armored and bladed guards, and eunuchs from the East Factory guarded various key locations.
All the tables and chairs in the lobby were vacated.
All the high-ranking officials in scarlet robes stared at him with unkind expressions.
Wang Zongyi and Wang Xijue blocked the ceremonial supervisor and Jin Yiwei behind them, and stepped forward to ask questions without hesitation.
Xu Guo, the Minister of Punishment, personally recorded the case file. He Luowen, the Minister of Rites, who was a wine-producing person in the Imperial College, was heartbroken and couldn't bear to look at it.
Six scholars were surrounded in the middle, with different expressions, some were calm, some were worried, or some were high-spirited.
The seventh scholar knelt in front of Wang Zhiyuan. His nose was bruised and his face was swollen, and he could not see his expression. The green gauze skirt on his body was torn to pieces, revealing his inner coat.
He opened his mouth to speak: "Sir..."
Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Wang Zhiyuan's cold snort.
Holding a rag of gauze skirt in his hand, he interrupted with a livid face: "I don't have a son like you!"
A group of colleagues looked at him intently, pretending not to care about this scene, but their expressions were weird and they were really unbearable.
Veil skirts were very common among scholars.
Even Long Yangzi, or a man and his wife, are not unusual - as long as they can pass on the family line, let alone the skirt, even if they can also use sticks to communicate with each other, they are also accepted by the mainstream.
But it is common, but often with a contemptuous attitude. The phrase "libertine" is inevitable.
In particular, Wang Zhiyuan always regarded himself as a strict family tradition in Shilin, set rules and regulations, and served as godfather himself.
Unexpectedly, after a tour, they would see their son approaching the emperor in a gauze skirt. The Wang family was completely humiliated.
Wang Xiangjin's eyes were swollen, and he could only half-open his eyes, and reluctantly said: "Sir! Did I do something wrong to open my eyes for the people of Yuanyuan in Chi County?"
"Nowadays, the central government has the decree to clear away the land and clear the households, but it only treats the emperor's closeness to the emperor outside the law. One thing, two systems, who in the world can obey?"
"And the master who handled this matter is not afraid of leaving a reputation for abuse..."
The words just fell.
Snap!
The wind roared in the palm, and a slap sounded again!
Wang Xiangjin was suddenly hit, his upper body lost balance, he staggered and fell to the ground, and the words in his mouth stopped abruptly.
Wang Zhiyuan finally closed his mouth when he saw his ignorant son, and his anxiety eased slightly.
He consulted Xu Guo and said: "Mr. Xu, this criminal is crazy. In order to avoid bumping into your Majesty later, you might as well put him in prison first."
Xu Guo naturally understood Wang Zhiyuan's thoughts and was happy to sell this.
Then he nodded slowly, turned his face and said to his left and right: "Come here, escort the criminal to the capital and put him in jail!"
When Wang Zhiyuan saw this, he couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief and raised his hand to Xu Guo to show his gratitude.
After this incident, although the emperor did not express it clearly, he must have been furious at this moment.
It is said that when the emperor is angry, he will bleed and float in the oars, let alone insulting the king's father, something that would have been delayed in the first place.
The son's only chance of survival was to appease the emperor's anger a little bit - that's why he was beaten until he vomited blood all over the floor, that's why his clothes were in tatters, and that's why he was sent directly to prison.
Otherwise, if we can't obey the emperor's wishes... I have killed so many people with the emperor these days, and I am afraid that my son will be blamed today.
Zhang Hong and Jiang Keqian looked at each other.
Although based on their understanding of the emperor, they should not be furious, let alone execute him without teaching him.
But since Wang Zongyi and Wang Xijue pushed them aside, there was no reason to join them, so they allowed these civil servants to do whatever they wanted.
And just as they were holding Wang Xiangjin's arms, they were about to carry him out.
"We haven't been convicted yet. What's wrong with the criminal? You can't scold me, right? Let him go."
A voice came down the stairs.
Everyone looked up and saw the emperor's figure appearing at the stairs, walking down the stairs.
The hall official Yiqian immediately restrained his unnecessary expression.
Zhang Hong and Jiang Keqian immediately went to the stairs and bowed to wait.
The guards were still looking at him intently, and they just put Wang Xiangjin down and stood back outside the door.
Wang Zhiyuan couldn't help but feel nervous as he looked at his son who was thrown back to the ground.
He glanced at the emperor without any trace, but the emperor's tone and expression at the moment seemed very gentle, and it was completely impossible to tell whether he was being weird or really didn't care.
"His Majesty."
"His Majesty."
A group of court officials, ministers, and even the scholars involved in the case all bowed down and saluted in unison.
Wang Xijue carefully observed the emperor's expression.
Unlike the monks and eunuchs who killed them casually, although the scholars in front of them also made some mistakes, it was best to be lenient.
But he didn't know if the emperor was angry at this time, which made Wang Xijue a little confused about how to plead for mercy.
Wang Zongyi, the Minister of Rites, and He Luowen, the Minister of Rites, looked at each other with hesitation.
Please advise the emperor to be merciful. I always feel that the emperor suffered this injustice for no reason, which is somewhat unjustifiable.
Don't advise me. If the emperor kills the scholars, his reputation will also be fatal.
Wang Zhiyuan sighed in his heart, but he spoke first: "Your Majesty, these seven people are the scholars who just violated the government's affairs on the river embankment and made irresponsible remarks about the emperor and father."
Zhu Yijun walked down the stairs slowly, taking in everyone's expressions and reactions.
Otherwise, students have an inherent advantage in the field of public opinion.
Even though they scolded him in front of his face, these courtiers still looked like they were afraid that he would kill the scholars in anger.
No wonder He Xinyin ran away on his own, leaving a few students behind.
Zhu Yijun thought to himself, waved his hand, and motioned for the courtiers to stand up.
Then he looked at the scholar who was saluting, and said with fake surprise: "You have all pointed at my nose and scolded me, but now you have done enough etiquette."
Except for Wang Xiangjin, who was beaten by his father, the rest of the scholars were all standing still.
The many scholars were so excited on the embankment before that they were so confused now.
Several people looked at each other, and for a moment it was time to get up and bow.
At this time, a scholar suddenly stepped forward and shouted back: "Your Majesty, we are just admonishing you in person. Although it is offensive, we are definitely not insulting your father!"
This gesture is very well done.
Compared with the charge of insulting the emperor and his father, remonstrance with righteous indignation is obviously more appropriate and can be more supported by scholars.
Zhu Yijun smiled nonchalantly: "Are you a prison student?"
Tai students, especially young Tai students, are most likely to criticize the current situation when their minds are hot.
How many people are using the topic to their advantage and how many people are being used as spearheads needs to be carefully distinguished.
The scholar replied solemnly: "Reporting to Your Majesty, my student Zhao Nandou passed the examination in the fourth year of Wanli and entered the Imperial Academy to study the year before last."
Zhu Yijun frowned.
Zhao Nandou, this name also feels a bit familiar.
After recalling it for a moment, he remembered it and asked curiously: "What is your relationship with Zhao Nanxing, the doctor in the examination department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs?"
Zhao Nandou paused and replied honestly: "Your Majesty, Zhao Nanxing, the doctor in the examination department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, is the eldest brother of the student."
Zhu Yijun couldn't help but clicked his tongue, it seemed that they all had a heel.
Zhao Nanxing, one of the gentlemen of Donglin, why is he a doctor in the examination department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs? Because he is one of the people who invited himself to serve as an official in the southern suburbs during the sacrifice to heaven. Now he has gone home.
Donglin's elder brother left because of the incident in the southern suburbs, and he left behind a younger brother from Simenhui to hold a banner and remonstrate. It is true that the whole family is loyal and loyal.
The Four Doors Association...the Donglin Party...and even the Fushe Society later.
Regardless of the motives of these people, the formation of grassroots political associations in the Ming Dynasty and the tendency of opposition parties to interfere in politics have become increasingly obvious.
Under the premise of changes in the economic foundation, something elusive seems to be catalyzing.
However, this process came to an abrupt end in history, so that Zhu Yijun did not know whether it was good or bad at this time.
You will need to observe more carefully in the future.
Zhu Yijun's thoughts wandered around and soon stopped.
He looked at Wang Zhiyuan again, pointed at Wang Xiangjin, and said casually: "Is this the son of Wang Qing's family?"
Wang Zhiyuan looked a little ugly and nodded with difficulty: "This is your third son."
Zhu Yijun nodded.
In fact, he had some impressions about Wang Xiangjin. Historically, he was a rare agriculturist who loved nurseries.
The “apple” originating from China is named after him.
Moreover, after the Qing army entered the customs, Wang Xiangjin did not lick his face and seek an official career. Instead, he worked at home and farmed, and lived in seclusion until the Shunzhi period.
In addition to being fond of forming associations, he is also a very upbeat person - he has participated in all the Donglin Party, Poetry and Prose Society, and Township Training League, well, plus the four societies in front of him.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yijun lowered his face and looked at Wang Xiangjin, and threatened with a gloomy expression: "I heard you right. Young Master Wang just said that Wang Jingzhao was 'for abuse'? Why didn't you say the word 'helping Zhou' together?"
Wang Zhiyuan stopped talking and turned his head to glare at his son.
Wang Xiangjin was stared at by the two men and shuddered subconsciously.
He murmured for a long time before replying in a low voice: "Your Majesty's civil and military skills are unparalleled by Jie and Zhou."
"The student just saw and heard about the injustice between the emperor and his relatives, and was angry that your majesty was unfair in dealing with things. My father stood by and looked on, so he discussed the matter and advised his majesty to treat everyone equally."
Wang Xiangjin's voice became lower and lower, and after he finished speaking, he simply buried his head in his chest.
Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Xiangjin expressionlessly for a long time without saying a word.
The imperial village is the private property of the emperor.
It has the dual attributes of official property and private property - this is based on the fundamental standpoint that the emperor is the master of the world and has the dual nature of public and private property.
However, under the spontaneous trend of thought among the people, this footing, or more precisely, the emperor's personal attributes, are being questioned.
In other words, the ideological circles are reflecting on it, intending to revise or even further improve it - the public world, or the family world, this is a question.
What followed was that Huangzhuang, which had the strongest private property attributes, received the most severe torture before and after it became self-contained.
The most famous sentence is what the great scholar Shang Ren once advised Xianzong: The emperor regards the world as his home, and uses the imperial village as his home?
So this is a common question.
It's just that I chose to use this excuse at the critical moment of Dutian.
Of course, Zhu Yijun was more curious about how to use the topic to his advantage.
There was silence for a long time.
Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Xiangjin and Zhao Nan fighting, and asked seriously: "It's better for one to discuss the matter, and it's better for the other to treat everyone equally."
"Then I have something unclear."
"When you talk about treating everyone equally, do you hope that I will treat the rich and powerful just like I treat my relatives and relatives, or do you want me to show some kindness to the rich and powerful, or..."
"Or do you hope that I will treat my relatives at Huangzhuang as unmercifully as I did when I visited Shuntian Mansion?"
Chapter completed!