Chapter 197: Stick Figure Memorial

Hanlin Academy.

The newly appointed top scholar, Yang Rong, along with the second-place scholar, Yang Pu, and the third-place scholar, Jin Youzi, were discussing court documents with a group of Imperial Academy graduates to understand the dynamics of the court. Yang Rong casually picked up a copy of a memorial to the throne and started reading. Suddenly, his face turned pale with shock, and he stood up.

“Such panic, has there been another breach somewhere?” Yang Pu asked, noticing the unusual expression on Yang Rong’s face.

Jin Youzi, holding a copy of the memorial, said, “A report from Fengyang Prefecture says Lingbi has been hit by a disaster. The extent of the flooding in the north is worrying.”

Yang Rong looked deeply at Yang Pu and Jin Youzi, and said solemnly, “Lord Zhang Mingyuan has gone.”

“Gone? Where did he go?” Jin Youzi was initially confused.

Yang Pu glanced at Jin Youzi, who then realized what had happened. He incredulously took the copy of the memorial presented by Yang Rong, but before Jin Youzi could finish reading it, the memorial was snatched from his hands by someone else.

Jin Youzi turned around, somewhat annoyed, to confront Wu Pu, who had snatched the memorial. He was about to scold him, but then he saw Wu Pu’s trembling hands and the tears streaming down his face.

“Teacher!”

Wu Pu, holding the memorial in his hands, suddenly knelt to the ground with a thud.

Yang Rong suddenly remembered that Wu Pu, while studying at the Imperial Academy, had been a direct disciple of Zhang Xianzong.

The death of his mentor naturally brought immense grief.

A teacher’s grace is as deep as the sea, as profound as a father’s love.

Thinking back to Zhang Xianzong, whom Yang Rong also respected, the two shared similar backgrounds – both lost their fathers at a young age and were raised by their hardworking mothers…

Zhu Yunwen personally ordered historians to write the “Biography of Zhang Xianzong,” which reads:

Zhang Xianzong, from Ninghua, rose from poverty with a widowed mother.

Bright and diligent in his studies from a young age…

In the 24th year of the Hongwu reign during the imperial examination, the Emperor personally said: “His prose is thorough, his answers satisfactory, with opinions and decisions, surely a learned scholar. He should be the top choice, thus granted the title of top scholar.”

Initially appointed as a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, he was tasked with writing articles and reviewing classics and history.

Later promoted to an academic official at the Imperial Academy, he criticized current malpractices and proposed reforms, clarifying academic regulations and leading students by example, eventually becoming the chancellor of the Imperial Academy. In the 31st year of Hongwu, he was promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works…

In the first year of the Jianwen reign in July, he was ordered to manage flood control, riding thousands of miles, his thighs rotting from exertion, yet his will remained strong…

Worried about the flooding, thinking of the common people!

Dedicated his life to the nation, his loyal spirit fortified the dikes!

Emperor Zhu Yunwen posthumously appointed Zhang Xianzong as the Minister of Works, with the posthumous title of Zhongzhen, mourned by the court, with officials in silent contemplation. Temples in his honor were built in Ninghua, the capital, and Xuzhou, with steles and biographies to commemorate his undying loyal spirit.

Kunning Palace.

Ma Enhui, holding Zhu Wenkui and pointing at Zhu Yunwen, said, “See, your father is busy with state affairs and has no time to tell you stories. How about going to Chengqian Palace with your mother?”

“No, I want my father,” Zhu Wenkui insisted, stretching his arms out, trying to break free from Ma Enhui’s embrace.

Zhu Yunwen put down his brush, sighed, and said, “If all officials of the Ming Dynasty had the same dedication as Zhang Mingyuan, devoted to the country and the people, why would I be so burdened? Governing is complex, with endless concerns.”

“Your Majesty has been working too hard these days. I implore you to rest for a day or two to recuperate,” Ma Enhui advised.

Zhu Yunwen took Zhu Wenkui into his arms, gently saying, “I can’t rest. Disaster relief is the priority. How the relief is coordinated, the extent of the disaster in Huaiyuan, the number of refugees in Dingyuan, the progress of aid – there are no reports yet, and this worries me.”

“Why doesn’t Father go and see for himself?” Zhu Wenkui asked innocently.

Hearing this naive question, Ma Enhui patted Zhu Wenkui’s back and said, “Your father has endless tasks in the capital; how can he leave the city?”

“How can one leave the city, then?” Zhu Wenkui asked, puzzled.

Ma Enhui’s expression dimmed. Indeed, when can one leave the city?

With countless matters in the capital requiring the Emperor’s decisions, even if he wanted to leave, he couldn’t.

As for the trip to Jiangnan, it seems it will remain just a thought.

Zhu Yunwen lifted Zhu Wenkui and said, “When you have learned and gained skills, when you grow up, you can help your father, and then I can leave the capital, right? How far have you memorized the ‘Three Character Classic’? Recite it for me to hear.”

Zhu Wenkui, realizing he was being tested, recited immediately: “At the very beginning, human nature is good. Nature is similar, habits become different. If not taught, one’s nature strays… If one does not learn when young, what will they do when old? Father, I have only memorized up to here.”

Zhu Yunwen sat down and asked, “Do you understand the meaning of ‘At the very beginning, human nature is good’?”

Zhu Wenkui shook his head.

Zhu Yunwen smiled and patted Zhu Wenkui’s head, saying, “You are still young and it’s normal not to understand. Let me tell you, this phrase means…”

“Your Majesty, the commander of the Pacification Commission, Tang Buping, requests an urgent audience, covering eight hundred li.”

Shuangxi came over and reported.

Zhu Yunwen slightly shook his head; it seemed he didn’t even have time to educate his child.

Ma Enhui, pulling the somewhat disappointed Zhu Wenkui, said, “Your Majesty should prioritize state affairs. I will explain it clearly to Kui’er.”

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly and just as he reached the door, he turned and said, “Does the Empress also think we should find a few tutors for Wenkui?”

Ma Enhui, with a smile on her face, performed a courtesy and said, “If one does not learn when young, what will they do when old…”

“The Empress is twisting the meaning. ‘If one does not learn when young’ means… Well, alright, I will select a few tutors for him, but I will decide on the curriculum.”

Zhu Yunwen did not want his son to become a bookworm, but education was always a big issue.

Although Ma Enhui was well-intentioned, her maternal love was too strong, and moreover, the harem was full of women. Over time, if Zhu Wenkui became too effeminate, wouldn’t he be beaten by himself?

In Zhu Yunwen’s view, a man should be upright and possess a strong and righteous spirit.

An effeminate man?

What’s the difference between that and the eunuchs in the palace?

Zhu Yunwen’s decision to find tutors for Zhu Wenkui was seen by Ma Enhui in a different light.

Since Zhu Yunwen’s ascension to the throne, he had not established a crown prince, and the Eastern Palace had been vacant. Although officials from the Ministry of Rites had repeatedly submitted memorials to appoint a crown prince, they were all rejected by Zhu Yunwen. Now, his selection of tutors for Zhu Wenkui, though he had not yet mentioned the matter of the crown prince, indicated that he was grooming Zhu Wenkui as his successor.

Wuying Hall.

After Commander Tang Buping of the Pacification Commission paid his respects, he presented memorials from Yu Xin and Xiong Wucheng.

Emperor Zhu Yunwen glanced at the thick papers. Without a doubt, this must be the memorial “written” by Xiong Wucheng. He didn’t pay attention to it but picked up Yu Xin’s memorial to read.

“White Lotus Sect!”

Zhu Yunwen was somewhat surprised; he didn’t expect the disaster relief in Dingyuan to be connected to the White Lotus Sect.

Grassroots governance has always been a difficult point.

In a county covering hundreds of li, a magistrate only has two legs. Even if he exhausts himself, touring the area would take ten days to half a month.

But the magistrate can’t always be out inspecting; the county office needs him to preside, to handle affairs and stamp documents. He is indispensable.

In the early Ming Dynasty, the grassroots governance adopted the Li-Jia system, which was ‘each Li consisting of one hundred and ten households, with the household contributing the most labor and grain designated as the head of ten households(Li Zhang), and the remaining one hundred households divided into ten Jia, each Jia comprising ten people.’

The Li Zhang is similar to a village head, and the Jia Zhang is similar to a village director.

They are key to grassroots governance, and these positions are often held by local large households, who not only have the means to bully others but also the means to bribe.

Even if something happens, they can manipulate the situation, making big issues small and small issues disappear.

Over time, the resentment of the lower-class people increased, and the White Lotus Sect took advantage of this weakness, increasing its followers. Once they accumulated enough strength, they would rise up to resist the imperial court.

This is indeed a difficult problem to solve.

In later generations, village bullies are of a Thanos level; with just a snap of their fingers, they can make people vanish into thin air, let alone in this evil feudal society.

Zhu Yunwen could tolerate the existence of Buddhism and Taoism, but he would never allow the White Lotus Sect to exist. The mere phrase “Maitreya Buddha shall have the world” should send them all to the Pure Land^[1]Heaven.

However, Zhu Yunwen did not quite agree with the approach of beheading all the followers of such a heretical sect.

After all, the common people joining the White Lotus Sect might not necessarily want to confront the imperial court; they are just too suffering, too tired, and too oppressed by the officials, hoping to find protection, blessing, or spiritual solace in the White Lotus Sect.

Zhu Yunwen did not react with uncontrollable anger to the emergence of the White Lotus Sect. According to Yu Xin’s report, the weather in areas like Wo River, Sui River, and Ying River had already cleared up. Disaster relief and maintaining public order were going well, and there were no disturbances.

As long as they could get through the disaster, everything else would be negotiable.

Zhu Yunwen put down Yu Xin’s memorial and opened the memorial of Xiong Wucheng, the Commander of the Security Bureau. He looked at it with a frown.

Xiong Wucheng was very capable, which pleased Zhu Yunwen. However, he was uneducated, barely literate, and even his own name was written as if gnawed by a dog…

Hence, his memorials were often drawings of stick figures…

One picture showed a group of stick figures arriving at Dingyuan, then circled pots, soil, and bowls together, indicating they were cooking a soup with clay balls.

The second picture was about inviting for a meal, where Yu Xin, Huang Zicheng, and others were all stick figures. Who was who could only be distinguished by their seating positions…

The third picture was about suppressing the White Lotus Sect rebellion, with two stick figures tied to a post…

Zhu Yunwen frowned and asked, “Who is tied to the post?”

“Uh… It’s Elder Yu and this subordinate.”

Tang Buping hurriedly replied.

Zhu Yunwen frowned and said, “Using a Grand Secretary as bait, when did Xiong Wucheng become so daring?”

“Your Majesty, this was Elder Yu’s plan, it has nothing to do with Lord Xiong…”

Tang Buping hurriedly explained.

He had to clarify if Xiong Wucheng got punished by the Emperor, he wouldn’t have a good outcome either.

Zhu Yunwen looked at it again and seeing a stick figure kicking another one flying, he asked, “Did you kick someone to death?”

“Ah?”

Tang Buping looked at Zhu Yunwen in surprise. When Xiong Wucheng was drawing, he was watching. In the drawing, he was just arms, legs, and a head, without even a nose or eyes. How could the Emperor know the kicker was him?

Zhu Yunwen looked at Tang Buping and handed over the drawing, saying, “Haven’t you noticed that when Xiong Wucheng draws himself, his legs are long, but when he draws you, your legs are short…”

Tang Buping looked down and immediately felt aggrieved. He was a seven-foot-tall man, but why did he become a dwarf here?

“In this drawing, the knife in the hands of the White Lotus Sect followers is a Yanling saber, right?”

Zhu Yunwen inquired.

“Replying to Your Majesty, it is indeed a Yanling blade.”

Tang Buping quickly replied.

Zhu Yunwen frowned and said, “Such crucial intelligence, why didn’t Xiong Wucheng inform Elder Yu?”

Tang Buping quickly replied, “Your Majesty, Vice Commander Xiong believes that this matter is too extensive and didn’t dare to make decisions on his own. It’s also not suitable to be heard by too many, to avoid alarming the enemy.”

“Any clues on who the enemy is?”

Zhu Yunwen was very clear that the court’s weapons wouldn’t just end up in the hands of the White Lotus Sect followers for no reason. Even the Dingyuan county office couldn’t find so many Yanling blades.

Tang Buping said ashamedly, “We haven’t received any news yet. When I left, Qu You had not confessed yet.”

Zhu Yunwen picked up Yu Xin’s memorial, staring at the words “ancient and modern” solemnly, and said, “Spare no means to pry his mouth open. If gentry colludes with the White Lotus Sect, the harm is still small, but if there are garrisons, officials, vassal kings…”

“Vassal Kings!”

Zhu Yunwen’s face became stern.

It seemed that a series of events were connected, forming a deadly knot…