At this moment,
He still wanted to ask for everyone's opinion. So, he generously took out Zhu Mo's letter and showed it to everyone in turn, smiling,
"Everyone, take a look. This is a letter from Zhu Mo from Datong. It's not a secret, just casual chat… Everyone, feel free to discuss it however you please."
These were all his confidantes. They had already made their first fortune by following Zhu Mo's reforms. Moreover, Zhang Juzheng had always been open and aboveboard in his dealings, so everyone naturally held their esteemed mentor in even higher regard.
Shen Shixing, with his outstanding talent, had long questioned Zhu Mo's reforms. After a brief look, he understood Zhu Mo's intention to seek a stance from the upright officials and couldn't help but say,
"Grand Tutor Yue, this student believes we absolutely cannot take a stance at this moment!"
"Oh? Why do you think so, Rumiao?"
Shen Shixing stood up, bowed, and said,
"Esteemed Mentor, this student believes there are three reasons. First, what exactly are Zhu Mo's reforms? He still has no clear explanation. I have corresponded with him and even asked him to write a book clarifying the essence of his reforms to dispel public doubts, yet he remains evasive. This is truly suspicious.
Second, to implement the severe regulations of the First Ancestor without possessing his virtue is a path to chaos. From Li Dongyang onwards, all the elders believed that the First Ancestor's measures were for a time of crisis, and their implementation by later generations would inevitably lead to chaos.
Third, the situation on the Xuan-Da front is still unclear, with victory and defeat undecided. If he fails, and Anda occupies Datong, he, as the Imperial Envoy, cannot escape blame. Therefore, taking a stance now is a foolish move."
Hmm,
Zhang Juzheng swept his sleeves, clasped his hands behind his back, and tilted his head back, his mind deep in thought—
Rumors from trusted confidantes in the capital suggested that eunuchs close to the old eunuch Huang Zhong had seen a secret memorial in the Yuxi Palace detailing Zhu Mo's desire to emulate the First Ancestor and treat all people equally, implementing severe measures for a chaotic era to elevate the ruler to the status of Yao and Shun. These rumors had spread throughout the land, which was why Shen Shixing had voiced such doubts.
However, these rumors seemed only half true. While Zhu Mo did implement severe measures, they were not necessarily the harsh laws of the First Ancestor. Furthermore, with the Yan faction's grip on the country, temporary measures were not entirely unacceptable, as it was necessary to first defeat the Yan family before the realm could be reorganized.
With this in mind, he said, "Rumiao's words are reasonable. What about the rest of you? What do you think?"
Xu Xuemo, who had long studied Yangming's philosophy of the mind, immediately responded without hesitation,
"Although the rumor that Zhu Mo emulates the First Ancestor and uses severe measures to govern is just a rumor, his actions are hardly dissimilar, are they? In Chun'an, he held lavish banquets for the common people with that Hai Rui, behaving like a mere peasant! He gathered the wealth of the rich to support the poor, and he has been fostering them in every way, encouraging them to start workshops…
If officials and gentry do not oppress the common people, or if they fail to handle matters smoothly for the common people, Zhu Mo becomes enraged and abuses them relentlessly. Is there any falsehood in this? How many times has his Assistance Office changed personnel? He constantly says officials are out of touch with the people, but who can possibly be in touch with the people like this?
This student believes that since ancient times, governance has been based on officials and gentry; those who excel in learning become officials, and those who excel as officials become noble. What is wrong with that? A peasant from the three dynasties, as long as they are diligent and become wealthy, can study and become an official or a gentry! As long as they cultivate themselves and enter officialdom, they become noble. The world inherently has nobility and inferiority, wealth and poverty! Those peasants who idly wander in their villages all day, now hearing that Scholar Zhu is providing money to set up workshops, have all flocked here. Who will be responsible if it fails later?
Esteemed Mentor, although these words are excessive, this student must speak his mind. When I returned home a few days ago, the elders in my village asked me what exactly this Zhu Mo was trying to accomplish. I have traveled through the villages, and any decent person does not approve of Zhu Mo's methods! It's practically encouraging villains, while those who follow the rules are becoming poorer! Isn't this turning things upside down?"
Having spoken,
He was still sulking, clearly very displeased.
The others had seen and heard similar things. Hearing these words now, they felt somewhat vindicated and gazed at Zhang Juzheng, hoping he would provide a clear answer.
Among those present, Zhang Siwei was also very learned and had been famous in Guanzhong for a long time. He stood up, bowed, and then slowly said,
"Esteemed Mentor, this junior believes that although Zhu Mo's actions are not yet entirely clear, observing the subtle signs allows us to grasp their essence.
This junior has also been pondering lately that Zhu Mo's reforms are a reality, and the Emperor's attitude is ambiguous, showing a great deal of full support. This can be compared to Wei Yang of Qin, Li Deyu of Tang, and Wang Anshi of Song. The public opinion nowadays also leans towards this comparison. And this junior believes that among the three, Zhu Mo's methods resemble Wei Yang's, his initial intentions are close to Li Deyu's, and his lack of order and law is like Wang Anshi's."
Oh?
Everyone became curious and sat up straighter, listening attentively.
Zhang Siwei continued,
"Zhu Mo's reforms, as they appear now, cannot be said to be not severe; this is the first point. Moreover, his initial intentions are to enrich the people and strengthen the nation, and to be loyal to the royal family. This is also the righteous path, so his intentions are not wrong, similar to Li Deyu of Tang.
What is not righteous? Firstly, he has no regard for distinctions of nobility and inferiority. He never takes the officials and gentry seriously. No matter your rank or title, he abuses them in every way, frequently dismissing them from office, or even sending them back to the capital under escort. Many have been executed. This is precisely what Wei Yang did.
These are the common public opinions, but what this junior cares about most is the consequence of Zhu Mo's reforms. What is the greatest consequence? His methods of elevating agriculture and industry and suppressing officials and gentry are like Wei Yang's Twelve Grades of Rank, disrupting the feudal system of ancient times! Observing him, he truly cares for the common people and thinks of them constantly. However, he is completely without order, like Wang Anshi of Song, and only ends up harming the people."
Wow!
Everyone was even more astonished.
Zhang Siwei coughed dryly and said,
"Why is this so? Everyone, he has already implemented so-called industrialization in Jiangnan. Previously, Grand Tutor Yue also showed me account books. I saw that in the four provinces of Jiangnan, there are hundreds of thousands of households engaged in this, tens of thousands of workshops, and three million bolts of silk produced. I heard esteemed mentor say that Zhu Mo plans to expand into ceramics, tea, salt, and iron industries, all following the same model. I began to worry that if this were fully implemented, half of the farmers in the country would transition to industry and commerce…
Then, I ask everyone! Who will cultivate the fields of the country? If the fields of the country lie fallow, from where will the people of the country get their grain?"
Wow!
Applause,
Everyone couldn't help but clap and praise.
Zhang Juzheng also nodded and said, "What ZIwei says is precisely what I worry about."
And as everyone was praising,
Gui Youguang then stood up and slowly walked into the main hall, saying,
"Esteemed Mentor, everyone.
Your concerns are not without reason, but this old man does not entirely agree. Why? ZIwei, you do not know that the land of Jiangnan can serve as proof.
Grain can also be traded. It is not necessary to rely solely on self-cultivation and self-consumption. Furthermore, there are natural laws governing the amount of good land and the number of mouths in the country. More people do not necessarily mean more grain; fewer people do not necessarily mean less grain… For example, the Japanese pirates, numbering hundreds of thousands, could not even feed themselves by plundering alone. I have heard General Qi say that the pirates' grain was purchased from Japan, Joseon, Ryukyu, and Annan. This shows that with trade connecting the world, there are divisions. If the farmers of the Great Ming are few, the vassal states can supplement them. Why? Because there is profit to be made. This is the way of Ji Ni and Tao Zhu.
Moreover, according to ZIwei's calculations, it is only half the farmers who would transition to industry and commerce, with the other half cultivating the land. With supplementation through trade, grain will not necessarily be scarce."
Gui Youguang was a renowned scholar from Jiangnan, famous throughout the land with numerous disciples. He had studied for many years, and when he spoke, it was in the style of classical Chinese. People often joked about his manner of speech, but at this moment, listening to his classical pronouncements, they heard profound logic, and everyone couldn't help but fall into contemplation.
It must be known,
The Great Ming of today is unlike the past. Since the Yuan Dynasty opened up trade routes, interactions between countries have become very frequent. Although the Japanese pirates have caused disturbances in recent years, the circulation of private goods is truly immense.
Therefore,
Gui Youguang's words immediately contrasted sharply with Zhang Siwei's concerns. Everyone began to whisper amongst themselves, debating animatedly.
Zhang Juzheng also couldn't make up his mind, thinking: This issue probably requires asking Zhu Mo directly to get an answer. Arguing back and forth at this moment is completely futile.
He immediately intended to discuss official matters and said sternly,
"Everyone has made valid points, but at present, Zhu Mo is asking me to state my position, and I am truly undecided. Please continue your discussion…"
After listening once, he felt that those present had still not grasped the essence. He then took out a secret letter from his怀, sent by Liang Menglong from Xuanfu, which spoke of Yan Song's sudden withdrawal of troops from the outer garrisons.
...
When everyone received and read it, they were all startled.
Ma Ziqiang, who was knowledgeable in military affairs, blurted out, "Esteemed Mentor, Yan Song, this Yan Song is too outrageous!"
"Yes, this is treason!"
"Colluding with the enemy!"
"This is completely messed up!"
"Has Grand Secretary Yan become senile?"
"If they do this, what can we say?"
"Why doesn't the Emperor stop him?"
"..."
There was another wave of shock and confusion.
Zhang Juzheng thought: You are all too slow to react. Even if you guess, you should be able to figure it out. Have such things been rare since ancient times? Even in the Great Ming Dynasty, this is not the first time…
He paced with his hands behind his back, saying nothing, and the atmosphere became tense.
Everyone pondered deeply, and a chill ran down their spines—
Why would Yan Song do this?
It was clearly a case of using a borrowed knife to kill!
Does he truly hate Zhu Mo so much?
How did things escalate to this point?