Chapter 18: Tear it Up! Make it Louder!

The officials: “…”

Heh.

From that whistle, they could tell what was happening.

One of the officials stepped forward, under the watchful eyes of many: “Mr. Quan, could it be that you’ve misunderstood something? We have not…”

Quan Yingzhang squinted his eyes.

He had a fiery temper, and seeing someone stand up, he directly asked, “Are you someone who studies modern Confucianism?”

The person who stood up—Cui Yi, the former inspector known for being henpecked—answered politely: “Mr. Quan, you honor me with your presence. I, Cui Yi, indeed study modern Confucianism.”

It would have been better if he hadn’t admitted it, but once Quan Yingzhang confirmed his faction, his face turned pale with anger. He suddenly raised his cane and struck it down: “How many ways are there to write the character ‘回’! How many ways are there to write the character ‘回’! How dare you send a boy to mock me!”

Cui Yi, with extensive experience in receiving beatings, immediately crouched down and covered his head—he dared not fight back, as the old man opposite was already eighty-six years old! Even a slight injury could lead to being overwhelmed by the old man’s followers.

But he still struggled a bit…

“Mr. Quan! Please stop! Don’t hit me!”

What character ‘回’—how many ways to write it!

Xu Yanmiao, what exactly did you do!

“You insolent fool!” Quan Yingzhang was even more enraged, and even several officials who tried to stop him couldn’t.

Quan Yingzhang had his own line of reasoning.

In the eight or nine days of traveling with the convoy to the capital, he had talked with Xu Yanmiao every day. Through their conversations, he discovered that this young man really didn’t understand the classics. He probably knew best the phrase “Isn’t it a joy to have friends come from afar,” but even such a simple saying sometimes got mixed up as “Isn’t it a joy to have friends come from afar, though far, they must be punished.”

Such ignorance—how could someone who claimed to understand classical Confucianism make sarcastic remarks like “classical Confucianism excels in scrutinizing texts, often researching how many ways to write the character ‘回,’ with shallow and pretentious tendencies”? Clearly, someone had secretly given this young man some key information, sending him to challenge and provoke.

The whole court was suspicious! Whoever showed up, he would hit!

—If you’re not guilty, why are you jumping out so quickly!

After all, despite being an old Confucian who wrote books and wielded a sword, Quan Yingzhang, though nearing old age, was still strong. He beat Cui Yi black and blue in just a few blows, his voice filled with energy: “Qilu cynics! How can a Confucian so blatantly distort Confucius’s fundamental teachings, foolish as a sheep in tiger’s skin, when the basis of Confucianism is benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, faith, courage, and goodness—qualities of a human, not a deity or a king! You worship Confucius yet stray from his way—truly absurd! You are merely a paper tiger, deserving of punishment!”

—The modern Confucian school can be collectively referred to as Qilu Confucians, while the classical Confucian school is Lu Confucians.

Xu Yanmiao nudged his good friend from the Ministry of War: “I know Confucius, but what exactly is his ‘merit’?”

The Ministry of War official looked at him as if seeing a ghost.

Xu Yanmiao, feeling justified, said: “After the exam, of course, you discard the points! I just want to be a small official and wait for death, not aiming to climb higher.”

Nearby, Princess Wanshou was also listening carefully.

She didn’t understand Confucianism, but to establish herself in the court, she needed sufficient knowledge of Confucianism. It’s not necessary to be an expert, but when others quote the classics, you need to know what they’re talking about.

The Ministry of War official wiped his face and explained helplessly: “In ancient times, people called those with high virtue but without a king’s position ‘Su Wang.’ Modern Confucian scholars revere Confucius as a ‘Su Wang,’ and his ‘kingdom’ is the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals.’ However, classical Confucian scholars detest the deification of Confucius. They believe Confucius was neither a deity nor a king, but a mere human.”

Xu Yanmiao understood.

[Soga!]

[So, Mr. Quan is essentially criticizing modern Confucianism—]

[Heh, modern Confucian scholars deviate from Confucius’s true intent, and their teachings hardly qualify as Confucianism? You dare to study Confucianism?]

Originally calm modern Confucian scholars were now: “……”

🙂

Being scolded by Quan Yingzhang was much more intense than Xu Yanmiao’s plain translations.

This plain translation instantly fueled their anger.

—We only respect the old, but old man, don’t push it too far!

In disputes between schools, it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, old or young—heretical views must be crushed!

Cui Yi rolled into a corner, gasping for breath, and touched his bruised face, wincing in pain.

But when he looked up at the golden platform, his expression changed subtly.

The Emperor’s intention wasn’t just to have the literary leader travel to the capital; there had to be a starting point for questioning in the court, but it couldn’t begin with direct confrontations. A venting tool was needed.

This venting tool, if of high status, would embarrass the court; if too low, it wouldn’t show the court’s respect for Quan Yingzhang.

He, as a fifth-rank official, was just right for this role.

Cui Yi murmured: “I hope His Majesty will understand that I was just being perceptive and won’t hold a grudge against me for the previous incident…”

Cui Yi was distressed: “Even if there’s a grudge, at least don’t transcribe my words in the court and send them to my wife! I only boasted outside to save face, not actually wanting my wife to serve tea and water and attend to me. What’s the point of telling her that!”

These days, when he went home, he faced sarcastic treatment. Not only did his wife refuse to let him into the bedroom, but she also moved the beds and couches from other rooms. He had been sleeping on the floor for over half a month!

Cui Yi wiped away his tears and looked at the debate between modern and classical Confucian scholars.

At first, the atmosphere was quite good, with serious debates—

Modern Confucians: Confucius is a deity!

Classical Confucians: Confucius is a human!

Modern Confucians: Heaven responds to human actions; disasters and misfortunes are signs of a nation’s downfall! Confucius’s ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ records countless natural disasters under fallen rulers. Why did Confucius record these? Of course, to remind rulers! Confucius hoped they would take it as a warning and govern according to divine principles!

Classical Confucians: Nonsense! Confucius detailed the sequence of years in ‘Spring and Autumn Annals,’ proving it is merely a history book! Your history books don’t record when or where there were natural disasters!

Modern Confucians: You’re the one talking nonsense! Although ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ is a history book, it’s not only about history. Isn’t there content related to divine principles? The book acknowledges that Yao passing the throne to Shun was a “heavenly mandate”! Your revered ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ has never abandoned the traditional concept of “heaven’s will”!

Classical Confucians: “Do you know what ‘not blaming heaven or others, focusing on personal effort while reaching out to the higher principles’ means? Confucius did not deny the existence of ‘heaven,’ but he emphasized focusing on human affairs! You mentioned Yao passing the throne to Shun as a heavenly mandate, but at the same time, Shun was advised by Yao to govern well and adhere to the right path, otherwise the mandate would end. Focus on human efforts as primary! Follow heavenly mandates as supplementary! Do you understand?”

Modern Confucians: “Blah blah blah…”

Classical Confucians: “Blah blah blah…”

They argued over the “Spring and Autumn Annals,” the “Rites of Zhou,” the “Book of Rites,” the “Book of Documents,” the “Guliang,” the “Gongyang,” and the “Zuoshi”…

In disputes over orthodoxy, no party was willing to yield.

Just arguing whether the “Rites of Zhou” was written by Duke of Zhou or Confucius had already torn the skies and darkened the earth.

Xu Yanmiao was exposed to debates on Confucianism for the first time. Though he found it difficult and convoluted, fortunately, a kind Ministry of War official was nearby to explain, allowing him to enjoy the spectacle.

[Tear it up! Tear it up louder!]

[Why does it seem like saying “Rites of Zhou” was by Duke of Zhou or Confucius is equally valid?]

[Wait! Someone is adding personal bias! Whoa! Someone is subtly saying that the “Rites of Zhou”—and indeed all of the “Three Rites” including it—are all forgeries by later generations!]

Modern Confucians: “!!!”

Heresy!

They immediately identified and condemned who was muddling the waters with such claims.

Upon discovering this, Quan Yingzhang temporarily set aside his battle with the modern Confucians.

Both modern and classical Confucians joined forces to suppress the heretic claiming the “Rites of Zhou” was a forgery. After suppressing them, both sides continued their mutual attacks.

Xu Yanmiao continued to snack on melon seeds.

[Hey! Why is there regional bias here too!]

[That Dali Temple official! Don’t think I didn’t notice! You said the “Rites of Zhou” is just the “Rites of Zhou,” and called Mr. Quan and Fujian people deceitful. Fujian people eat your rice!]

Fujian people in the court: “…”

🙂

Heh.

[Let me see where you’re from… Oh, Jiangsu! Oh, no, you should be referred to as Jiangdong people! Jiangdong has many talented individuals!]

Fujian people—a doctor of Ministry of Justice Lü Yu immediately shifted his criticism: “Jiangdong people are both arrogant and weak. Fortunately, we did not rely on Jiangdong youths when conquering the world, or His Majesty might not have gained the realm.”

Dali Temple official Wang Gongda was about to retort, but Inspector Shang Yuan quickly stopped him: “Calm down, calm down. We are all from the south; why quarrel with each other?”

[That’s true, after all, some northern people have always looked down on southerners.]

[Like that person… the Minister of War seems to have boasted that northerners are honest and straightforward, while southerners are cunning.]

Minister of War: “…”

Ah, this.

Among the four northerners and two southerners in the Ministry of War, the Minister of War now felt as if he were being burned by the gaze of his two southern colleagues.

Ministry of War official: “Xu Lang…”

[Hey, that right assistant minister of the Ministry of Works is really foolish. Even if he’s impatient, he shouldn’t directly attack and say that Sichuan people don’t know propriety. His words don’t count!]

Ministry of War official: “Xu Lang… Xu Lang…”

[But are Suzhou people really arrogant and extravagant? A few days ago, I saw an inspector say that, but judging by the right assistant minister’s attire, it doesn’t seem like it. Did I remember wrong? Isn’t he from Suzhou?]

Xu Yanmiao was engrossed in the system.

He didn’t notice the Ministry of War official calling him, almost to the point of tears.

Stop adding fuel to the fire! It’s about to turn into a fight!

[Ah! I remember now!!!]

What? Remembering which inspector spoke ill of Suzhou people?

Suzhou people in the court, one and all, clenched their fists.

[The currently circulated “Ancient Text Shangshu” seems to be a forgery…?]

Modern Confucians: “?!”

Such an important matter! Why are you only mentioning it now!

[Damn, I can’t remember what was forged, who wrote a book proving this?]

[It seems to say… that it doesn’t match ancient texts, historical examples, ancient history, ancient ceremonies, ancient calendars, ancient geography, philology, or principles.]

[Too bad I don’t remember at all, otherwise, it would be great to bring it up. It would definitely be more fun! The scene would be even more explosive!]

The modern Confucians laughed.

Xu Yanmiao’s unfamiliarity with the texts didn’t mean they were unfamiliar.

The imperial examinations tested immediate recall of textbook content, and they were experts at this. Now that they had the “Eight Inconsistencies,” weren’t they sure to come up with something on the spot to counter the classical Confucians?

Mr. Quan, although you can’t hear Xu Yanmiao’s inner thoughts, we are somewhat outmatched, but the struggle over academic orthodoxy is more important, so! Sorry!

These people were excited and didn’t notice that some people in the court had changed their expressions, frowning and preparing to stand up.

Quan Yingzhang was at a disadvantage by not having an official seal and not being able to hear Xu Yanmiao’s inner thoughts.

But! They could hear!

They were classical Confucians, pretending to be modern Confucians just to gain official positions.

Now, it was time to stand up!

After years of bearing humiliation and burdens, now! We will take back everything we’ve lost!

For the glory of classical Confucianism!!!

Modern Confucianism is heresy!!!