At this moment,
The discussion in the academy was reaching its climax.
Wei Liangbi had finished his lecture, and the scholars were asking questions and conversing in low voices. Zhu Mo found a seat and sat on the ground with them.
A scholar in his thirties asked:
"Master Wei, what you've said, we scholars all believe, and it indeed accords with the Way of the Sages! However, you just said that Zhu Mo, in his reforms in Jiangnan, disrupted the order of the four classes and abolished the rites of status. I cannot agree with that!"
A ripple of discussion spread through the scholars.
Wei Liangbi, seated in a grand tutor’s chair on the stone steps in front, said with a dismissive air:
"Why is that?"
The scholar cleared his throat, glanced at the assembled crowd, and immediately felt the invisible pressure. However, he knew Wei Liangbi was being disingenuous on this matter and pressed on:
"I am from Jiangnan! I saw with my own eyes that Zhu Mo's reforms did not alter the order of the four classes… How can you say so? I saw with my own eyes that apart from tenant farmers borrowing money to buy looms, thus moving from agriculture to industry and then to commerce, the order of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants remained unchanged!
Furthermore, Zhu Mo did not abolish the rites of status. My relatives also borrowed money from the state-run bank, and six households of tenant farmers together bought a loom. They still farm, but the women and children in their homes weave silk. When busy, they only help out with weaving… The six households of men collectively discuss important matters. Although there are arguments, the contributions are clearly accounted for, and no major incidents have occurred. They show great respect for each other! I have not seen the abolition of the rites of status that Master Wei spoke of. They are still very respectful towards their landlords!
On the contrary, the tenant farmers under the great manufacturers, even those who own their own land, are no different from the tenant farmers. Those people simply don't regard you as anything. If they disagree, they will forcibly buy your land. In my village, there was an elder named Zhang. He owned five mu of land. A great merchant, Mr. Li, disliked that he always delayed deliveries. He colluded with the county yamen and, under the guise of debt repayment, bought all of Zhang's land at a low price! Zhang now can only work wholeheartedly as a weaver for the great merchant. His life is not much different from before! May I ask? Is this the abolition of the rites of status? Is this the disruption of the order of the four classes?"
A roar and a surge went through the crowd.
"Nonsense!"
"Fabrication!"
"How could such a thing happen?"
"The Zhang elder you mentioned, that was voluntary! You are talking nonsense!"
"That's right! The great merchants are the great merchants of the weaving bureau, and it was all voluntary trade!"
"You fool! Zhu Mo lent money, but in the end, the land had to be used to repay the debt!"
"You know nothing! Zhu Mo is implementing Qin law! He forces all mulberry growers to weave. Those who don't weave, or don't reach the quota, will be arrested! The farmers were afraid, so they worked day and night for him!"
"Exactly! Zhu Mo wants to award titles based on silk production, just like Wei Yang's 'zaoshi'! Don't defend Qin law here!"
"Zhu Mo has made the farmers neither farmers, nor artisans, nor merchants! And you are still whitewashing for him!"
"Ah ha, I recognize you! You're from Huzhou! Are you one of the rebels? Speak up!"
"…"
Zhu Mo felt a headache coming on.
Why is it that whenever scholars gather, it turns into such a chaotic argument?
However,
What this man said was quite fair. He indeed hadn't changed any major framework, only provided farmers with an additional opportunity to earn money. Weaving cloth and silk is not a difficult task, and the quality produced by great merchants and workshops is not much different. Why would it be necessary to force farmers into it? The profit from a bolt of silk is very high, and the interest is nothing.
If people didn't know the inside story, they would be terrified hearing this today! How could it be so outrageous? In the end, it was simply that the great merchants needed cheap labor, and he gave those farmers the ability to resist risks and produce and sell their own goods. The great merchants couldn't get their way, which led to so many rumors.
And as for the so-called great merchants, can he be unaware of their nature since returning from Jiangnan? Most of them are like Shen Yishi. They either coerce through loans, take advantage of natural disasters, or directly create man-made disasters, always buying land at one or two-tenths of the price.
This person actually revealed this truth, but all the scholars present were either fools or villains. The fools simply didn't understand, while the villains feigned ignorance.
At this moment,
Wei Liangbi waved his hand, signaling for quiet, and slowly said, "Your scholarship is lacking. You don't even recognize what Qin law is! Today, I shall teach you…"
He stood up, stroked his goatee, and calmly said:
"Since ancient times, tenant farmers have had to farm wholeheartedly for their landlords. This is the Way of self-restraint and returning to propriety. As a tenant, one is not incapable of becoming wealthy, but it requires being a tenant for many years. Through diligence and accumulation, one can acquire land and then support oneself. After generations of self-sufficiency, and with more accumulated wealth, one can then rent land to others. This is the reward for diligence…
But Zhu Mo is different. He lends money to idlers, those who disrespect their landlords, the lazy and the diligent, and the overambitious, allowing them to farm, weave, and trade. Such practices are unheard of. Where is the order of the four classes? One must know that the Sages' system dictates that scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants each occupy their rightful positions, and then the world will naturally be prosperous. There has never been anyone who disrupted this Way and achieved great peace…
You are ignorant and unreasonable. Considering your humble background and limited insight, I grant you the opportunity to reform. Go back! Go back and reread the Five Classics from beginning to end, and then come here to speak! Hmph!"
What?
What kind of reasoning is this?
The scholar was completely stunned.
And at this moment,
The scholars in the audience began to shout again—
"Scram!"
"Go back and study from the beginning!"
"Master pities your ignorance, why don't you leave quickly!"
"Zhu Mo's reform goes against the Way of Heaven, don't you understand?"
"…"
The man felt as if countless pairs of eyes were spitting fire. He immediately turned and fled, but a burst of hearty laughter erupted behind him. But this laughter was no small matter; the man turned back in anger and shouted:
"You! You are the ones who are unreasonable! Zhu Mo's reforms are not as you say! You are clearly distorting the truth!"
As soon as he said this,
The scene immediately devolved into a mad dog frenzy—
"Scram, you peasant scholar!"
"You can't even pass the imperial examination, and you dare to speak so presumptuously!"
"Zhu Mo, in order to push his reforms, has already ordered Yin Zhengmao to kill people. You are from Huzhou, don't you know?"
"Yes, Zhu Mo is vicious and cruel, he has even killed civilians for his reforms. Is that not Qin law?"
"Master Wei, this person is confusing right and wrong, please expel him!"
"…"
When it came to killing civilians for reforms, the crowd became extremely agitated.
Wei Liangbi snorted and said:
"I told you to leave, but you won't. I will report you to the Ministry of Rites and have your scholar's title revoked!"
A roar of cheers erupted from the scholars.
The man was dumbfounded and wanted to argue, but was drowned out by the angry shouts of the crowd. At this moment, two servants arrived, seized him by the arms, and dragged him out the door.