The next day, without any preparation, Zhu Mo arrived early at the Hanlin Academy.
The Yan faction and the Qingliu scholars knew that today was the day for a decision. As for whose strategy would be adopted, it meant little to the minor officials, but it was an immensely significant matter for both factions, directly determining their strength and influence. Thus, the atmosphere was tense from the outset.
All the scholars stood in the back rows, silent.
Yan Song sat high in the center, Xu Jie to his right, and others were arranged on either side. Not a word was exchanged between them.
Yan Shifan had wanted to get close to Zhu Mo, but he had never succeeded. In recent days, Zhu Mo had even gone completely missing. Helpless, Yan Shifan abandoned the idea. Today was the final deadline, so he decided to have Gao Hanwen step forward and take the lead, intending to proceed with the land purchase matter first.
After a moment of thought, he laughed heartily and declared, "Esteemed scholars, over the past few days, you have all presented your strategies, and the Grand Secretariat has deliberated. We few believe that Gao Hanwen's proposal to replace rice cultivation with mulberry cultivation is the best course of action!"
Oh…
So it was like this…
Then what's the point of discussing?
What a pretense…
Just making a fuss…
Many scholars who had submitted strategies felt a pang of displeasure.
Yan Shifan snorted, forcing a smile, and said, "However, the strategies proposed by a few scholars are also quite good, and the Grand Secretariat has not overlooked them… Well, for example, Wang Yong's 'aid through labor' proposal. Old Luo, Zhang Taiyue, and Gao Suqing and I have discussed it. It's good! Truly good! He's a talented individual… I personally propose that Wang Yong can come to my Ministry of Works as a supervisor to gain experience, and we'll see from there…"
Wow…
The entire hall fell silent, everyone feeling a sense of disdain, perfunctory dismissal, and humiliation.
But given Yan Shifan's immense power, even if he forced them to eat excrement, they would have to comply. The Qingliu scholars, though inwardly resentful, were utterly powerless.
According to court conventions, those emerging from the Hanlin Academy would at least serve as county magistrates when assigned to local posts, and only then, with the backing of powerful patrons, could they hope for advancement. However, becoming a supervisor in one of the Six Ministries was akin to being buried among the minor officials in the capital, with most having no hope of ever rising. It would have been better to remain in the Hanlin Academy.
In this way, Wang Yong, a promising talent, was essentially ruined.
Seeing that the Qingliu scholars dared not speak, Yan Shifan grew even more arrogant and said, "Mo Qing, please elaborate on your strategy, speak in more detail, and explain how it will be implemented. We are about to begin, so there can be no ambiguity…"
"Yes, this student understands."
Gao Hanwen appeared composed and repeated his proposal at length.
Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and Zhang Juzheng had been trying to find an alternative strategy for days, but most of these scholars were indeed bookworms and could not offer anything useful. Seeing Yan Shifan's smugness, they could only shake their heads and sigh, waiting to see if this Zhu Mo was truly an empty vessel. If he embarrassed himself again, then everyone might as well go home and sleep.
At this moment,
Yan Song, seeing that the overall situation was decided, surveyed the hall and slowly asked, "Do you have anything further to say? If not, the Grand Secretariat will proceed with Gao Hanwen's strategy. The next step is implementation, and everyone must contribute! Those who cannot contribute must not slander behind our backs… Do you all understand?"
Upon these words,
Not only was the tone set, but there was also a veiled threat. The entire hall fell into an absolute silence.
And then,
A voice suddenly drifted out, instantly shattering the stagnant, tense atmosphere—
"This student believes that Lord Gao's strategy is absolutely unworkable!"
Huh?
Wow…
This?
Is he not afraid of death?
To dare to speak to Old Yan Song like this?
Who is this?
Damn!
Everyone turned to look and saw Zhu Mo, standing in the back rows.
Yan Song and Yan Shifan exchanged bewildered glances—
Didn't this person not want to get involved? Why has he reappeared?
Could it be a ghost?
Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and Zhang Juzheng were also startled—
This young man?
We asked you to propose a strategy, not to undermine Yan Song!
Yan Song fixed his gaze, a grunt escaping him. He forced a smile and said, "So it's Young Master Zhu. Good, good! Elder Xu said at the beginning that this is a public discussion, and anyone can speak… If you have a strategy, please present it. We few in the Grand Secretariat, and all of you here, will discuss it, and we will report to the Directorate of Ceremonial by noon…"
By saying this, he essentially meant: If you have something to say, say it quickly, and then we still have business to attend to…
Zhu Mo had read many books about the Great Ming and was certainly familiar with these tactics. However, the more displeased the Yan family became, the more deliberately he would proceed. Moreover, since he, Zhu Mo, had decided to save the Great Ming and establish laws for ten thousand generations, to end the cycle of order and chaos, they were his mortal enemies. Why should he show them any mercy?
He smiled and said calmly, "Elder Yan, Young Elder Yan, Elder Xu, Lord Gao, Lord Zhang, esteemed colleagues, this student believes this strategy is purely—the opinion of a scholar, a torrent of nonsense! They say 'scholars are useless for anything,' and if the Grand Secretariat proceeds with this, it will surely lead to the ruin of the country and its people!"
Wow!
This?
He’s disregarding Old Yan Song’s face?
His integrity has been shattered!
As everyone watched in astonishment, they fearfully stole glances at Yan Shifan’s face. As expected, he looked as if he had been kicked several times. Then, under their furtive gazes, Yan Shifan’s face finally turned a liver-like color.
"Hmph! Is this Young Master Zhu?"
Yan Shifan, suppressing his rage, looked sharply at Zhu Mo and continued, "May I ask, Young Master Zhu, on what grounds do you claim Lord Gao's strategy will ruin the country and its people?"
Yan Song was also taken aback. He slowly recovered and looked at Zhu Mo with a fake smile, feigning concern for the younger generation.
This father and son were not foolish. They had guessed that Zhu Mo was likely Prince Yu or a disciple of some other royal uncle. To show respect for the Buddha even if not for the monk, however angry they were, they could only listen first, and then, when he said something taboo, they would deal with him severely.
Zhu Mo, of course, would not be courteous to this father and son. He directly stated:
"Lord Gao is unaware of the hardships of the common people. Sitting in his study, he speaks grandly, not realizing that he has already committed a grave sin…
Know this, transaction is an art of negotiation; it requires both parties to have bargaining chips! May I ask Lord Gao: If you were a starving disaster victim, and someone wanted to buy your land, but kept lowering the price by ten taels of silver, and dragged on for ten days or half a month, what would you do? What chips would you have to negotiate the price?"
Zhu Mo had lived among the common people for over a decade and deeply understood their suffering. He had personally witnessed no less than eight thousand disaster victims, so his question was direct, his eyes coldly fixed on Gao Hanwen.
Gao Hanwen, from a wealthy family, had no understanding of the suffering of the common folk. He scoffed and replied, "Then naturally, one would wait! Who would sell if the price is too low? Does Young Master Zhu think the common people are fools?"
Hahaha!
Zhu Mo, instead of getting angry, burst into laughter and retorted,
"Utter nonsense!"