Chapter 124: Officials Forcing the Emperor, Intending to Abolish the New Policies?

The court officials sitting in protest like this is unprecedented in the Ming Dynasty.

During the time of Zhu Yuanzhang, these people’s heads could have been hung at the city gates to dry, and they dare to sit in protest now?

Bullying the weak and fearing the strong is not just the specialty of gangsters; officials are also skilled at it.

Even when Zhu Yunwen was angry, he never actually beheaded anyone. The most severe punishment would be to transfer someone from Nanjing to a remote border region, maybe have them taking care of horse or dig a pit, but it wasn’t a death sentence.

Low risk, high potential reward, and with “unusual disasters” like earthquakes occurring, what could Zhu Yunwen say?

Jing Qing, Hou Tai, and others were very confident. This time, they were certain they could force the Emperor to retreat, abolish the so-called New Policies, and return Ming to the system of the Taizu Emperor.

Footsteps were heard.

Jing Qing quickly turned his head to look, but the hopeful expression on his face quickly faded.

Why were officials from the Directorate of Astronomy here?

Jing Qing and the others didn’t dare to ask. Yang Zheng, the Director of the directorate of astronomy, and his Vice Director, Muhammad, didn’t know what was going on either. They had diligently done their work and hadn’t participated in the protest. Why were they being summoned?

Could it be that the Emperor wanted to inquire about the earthquake?

This matter had nothing to do with the Directorate of Astronomy. They were resolute in not getting involved.

Finally, Zhu Yunwen appeared outside the Fengtian Hall. It was a victory for Jing Qing, Hou Tai, and the others. However, this victory felt somewhat short.

“Ma Hama!^[1]Muhammad”

Zhu Yunwen called out, feeling that something was amiss. If this were in the modern era, repeatedly saying “Ma Hama^[2]Muhammad” to someone might lead to physical confrontation.

But Muhammad was no ordinary person; he was a Hui people, he was a very important figure in the Directorate of Astronomy.

Hui people are actually the ancestors of the Hui ethnic group.

The origin of the Hui ethnic group can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, such as the “Huihe” and “Huigu” people of the Anxi region.

The term “Huihui” first appeared in Shen Kuo’s “Mengxi Bitan” during the Northern Song Dynasty.

During the Southern Song Dynasty, the term “Huihui” not only included the “Huihe” and “Huigu” but also some ethnic groups to the west of the Pamir Mountains.

There are certain differences between these historical Hui people and the Hui ethnic group in later times.

During the Yuan Dynasty, as the Mongols launched their western campaigns, a group of people from various Central Asian ethnicities who practiced Islam, as well as Persians and Arabs, entered China either voluntarily or involuntarily. They assumed roles such as craftsmen, merchants, scholars, officials, and religious leaders, dispersing across different regions. These people came to be known as “Huihui” or Hui people.

During the Yuan Dynasty, the institution known as “Huihui Bureau of Astronomy” was established, and individuals like Jamal ad-Din, who were Hui Muslims, made significant contributions to Chinese astronomy.

In the first year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Directorate of Astronomy and the Huihui Bureau of Astronomy, modeling them after Yuan Dynasty institutions. He recruited individuals who were originally part of the Huihui Bureau of Astronomy, including figures like Heide’er(黑的儿), Zheng Ali(郑阿里), and Madrudin(马德鲁丁).^[3]Tl’s note: Please leave a comment below if you know the exact translation of the name. I’ll change it after I read the comments

In the 31st year of the Hongwu era, Zhu Yuanzhang disbanded the Huihui Bureau of Astronomy and established the Huihui Likescience Division^[4]The term “历科” (Lìkē) in the context mentioned refers to the “Likescience Division.” This division was responsible for handling matters related to calendar calculations, … Continue reading, which was placed under the Directorate of Astronomy.

Muhammad was the second son of Madrudin.

Madrudin was renowned as a great scholar of astronomy due to his expertise in celestial observations, earning him the title “Great Celestial Scholar” and the nickname “Ma of the Great Observatory.” He made accurate astronomical predictions that outperformed the “Great Unity Calendar^[5]“大统历” (Dàtǒng Lì) refers to the “Calendar of the Great Unity” or simply the “Great Unity Calendar.” It was an important calendar system used during the … Continue reading” earning him high respect.

Additionally, Madrudin was an accomplished translator, responsible for translating Arabic astronomical texts into Chinese.

But Madrudin died early, in the seventh year of Hongwu, his eldest son, Shaikh Muhammad, and his second son, Muhammad, succeeded him.

Shaikh Muhammad compiled the “Huihui Calendar,” while Muhammad translated the ” Ming Translated Astronomical Books,” It was a significant event in Ming Dynasty astronomy, and it had a substantial impact on astronomy in that period as well as in later generations.

By the time of Zhu Yunwen’s reign, Muhammad had become the vice director of the Directorate of Astronomy, Not only did he understand astronomy and calendrical calculations, but he was also exceptionally knowledgeable about the historical records and classics of the Ming Dynasty, with an extraordinary memory.

Muhammad heard Zhu Yunwen’s call and quickly walked out, kneeling in front of Zhu Yunwen and saying, “I’m here.”

Zhu Yunwen ignored the officials who had been sitting quietly and knelt before him. Instead, he asked Muhammad, “I’ve heard that you have extensive knowledge of historical records from various dynasties. Today, I want to test your knowledge.”

Muhammad furrowed his brows but replied, “I will do my best, Your Majesty.”

Zhu Yunwen shifted his gaze to Jing Qing, Hou Tai, and others and sternly asked, “The officials say that the earthquake is a warning from heaven to me, indicating that there are faults in my virtue and governance. Ha ha, I won’t inquire about these matters. Instead, I’ll ask you, Muhammad, were there earthquakes during the Tang Dynasty, and how frequent were they?”

Muhammad listened and eased his mind, saying, “Your Majesty, earthquakes have occurred in every dynasty throughout history. As for earthquakes during the Tang Dynasty, please allow me a moment to consider.”

Jing Qing, Hou Tai, and others felt uneasy.

After calculating for a while, Muhammad looked up and said, “Your Majesty, according to historical records from the Tang Dynasty, the earliest recorded earthquake was in the second year of Emperor Gaozu of Tang’s reign, and the latest was in the second year of Emperor Zhaozong of Tang’s reign. There were a total of ninety-six earthquakes in those two hundred and seventy-six years, approximately one every three years.”

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly and turned to look at Jing Qing and others, asking in a stern tone, “During the prosperous times of Zhenguan^[6]Tang dynasty era ruled by Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, is considered a golden age in ancient Chinese history. era, was it truly an era of abundance? Was Emperor Taizong of Tang truly a wise ruler? Did his policies win the hearts of the people?”

The officials remained silent.

Zhu Yunwen smirked and continued, “Jing Qing, it’s your turn.”

Jing Qing, feeling helpless, had no choice but to speak up reluctantly, said, “The Zhenguan era was undoubtedly a time of great prosperity, deeply winning the hearts of the people.”

Zhu Yunwen then looked at Muhammad and asked, “Tell me, during the Zhenguan era, were there earthquakes?”

Muhammad replied in a solemn tone, “In the fourth year of Emperor Taizong’s Zhenguan reign, there was an earthquake. Particularly severe tremors were felt, causing mountains to collapse, houses to crumble, and exposing people to the open. In the tenth year of Zhenguan, there was a sudden major earthquake that affected a fifteen-li radius, causing great panic. In the….”

“You may stop,” Zhu Yunwen waved his hand and turned to Jing Qing, asking, “In the fourth year of Zhenguan era, did Emperor Taizong make any mistakes? In the tenth year of Zhenguan, did he make any mistakes?”

Jing Qing couldn’t answer.

“Since Official Jing won’t speak, Minister Hou, you can answer,” Zhu Yunwen said coldly.

Minister Hou bowed and dared not speak.

“Any other officials who can speak up? Have you all lost your voices?” Zhu Yunwen asked coldly, scanning the officials who were now kneeling on the ground.

The officials remained silent.

The prosperous era of Zhenguan was highly praised in historical records, and Emperor Taizong was considered a wise and beloved ruler by these scholars. How could they dare to say anything against it?

Zhu Yunwen chuckled and turned to Muhammad, “How many natural disasters and earthquakes occurred during the Northern Song and Southern Song Dynasties?”

Muhammad calculated for a moment and then replied to Zhu Yunwen, “Your Majesty, during the Northern Song and Southern Song Dynasties, various disasters occurred, including not only earthquakes but also floods, droughts, hailstorms, wind disasters, locust plagues, crop failures, and epidemics. There were a hundred and nine earthquakes during the Northern Song Dynasty and sixty-two during the Southern Song Dynasty.”

Zhu Yunwen looked at Jing Qing and asked, “Emperor Renzong of Song initiated the Renzong Era Prosperous reign, and historical evaluations often surpass those of the “Zhenguan Reign” and the “Kaiyuan Era.” Do you all agree with this?”

Jing Qing was sweating profusely, and the other officials remained silent.

Zhu Yunwen then turned to Muhammad, who understood the situation and opened his mouth to speak. Muhammad continued, “In the first year of Emperor  Renzong of Song’s Baoyuan’s reign, The Dingxiang earthquake damaged the city walls, collapsed houses, and caused the deaths of tens of thousands of people… In the sixth year of Renzong’s Qingli reign, there were multiple earthquakes in Dengzhou and Laizhou.”

Zhu Yunwen looked at the officials and sternly said, “You use earthquakes and heaven to pressure me. You’re quite skillful! I ask you all, is there any connection between earthquakes and my governance and virtue? What is the relationship? Each one of you is willing to sacrifice your dignity for a small gain, isn’t that so?”

“Since you are pushing for this so strongly, if I don’t agree, wouldn’t that make me a tyrant?”

“You all wants to restore the ancestral system, abolish the Single Whip Method, national policies, and sales of garrison lands, right?”

“Very well, I promise you! I will abolish these new policies for you!”

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