Yin Zhengmao picked up the letter and read it again:
"To Yangshi:
Recently, the petition of the hundred mountain scholars has been submitted, but it is being held up by the Directorate of Ceremonial. The disciples of Donglou have since composed the 'Exhortation to Learning,' which has fanned a scholarly trend, causing great waves. Today, all the officials and scholars in the realm wish to honor Yangming's official learning, and the momentum is like a prairie fire. Yangshi should uphold the virtue of the imperial decree, weed out the unruly populace, and the realm will surely say that the law of Zhu Mo has been implemented to change the people, just like Shang Yang; and Yangming's learning will also be defiled. This would truly bring no spirituality to the realm. Thus, my way will surely flourish, reason and law will complement each other, and we will be able to save the realm from its downfall. Su."
This writing carried on the legacy of his teacher's works. It was undoubtedly far-sighted and illuminating. Yin Zhengmao had read it more than ten times, yet he still found it absorbing.
"Teacher, this is truly a thunderous method with a Bodhisattva's heart..."
He finally made up his mind, picked up the牌票 (pai piao - a token or warrant) on his desk, and threw it on the ground with a snap.
"Everyone, last night we apprehended several bandits. After interrogation, they confessed to intending to break into the prison... The situation is critical! I had intended to wait for instructions from above, but after assessing the situation, it is clearly too late... Today, I will personally present Governor Zheng's royal decree and have the prisoners Zhang Gui, Luo Jin, Lu Dewu, and the other six executed immediately to prevent further trouble! What do you say?"
The group had been together for some time, and they were all quite afraid of him. A few kind-hearted individuals thought he was a pervert, and who else would dare to argue with him? Moreover, this matter was extremely bizarre. Anyone with a brain knew the implications.
This man was quite content in Guangxi, and wasn't it Zhu Mo who brought him here? Why did they call such a ferocious person? The purpose was obvious, wasn't it? The rumors were likely true. Zhu Mo had been stirring up trouble for half a year and couldn't wait any longer; he was going to make radical changes...
But no matter what they thought, who dared to let him sense it?
The crowd immediately bowed and said in unison, "Your subordinates have no objections."
At three o'clock that afternoon,
In front of the prefectural yamen, at the execution ground, with thousands of people watching, the six ringleaders of the unruly populace were beheaded. The crowd, which had been filled with grief and indignation, fell silent as soon as the heads fell.
...
The news spread like wildfire overnight.
On the land of Jiangnan, even in the dead of night, it quickly spread through the countryside.
In Hangzhou,
Inside the imperial money house.
Zhang Juzheng, who was usually reserved and profound, was now flustered, constantly stroking his long beard. He picked up his brush several times but couldn't write a single word.
Shen Shixing, Zhang Siwei, and the others had never seen him so out of sorts, nor did they know how to comfort him. After all, the matter had escalated. When the news reached the capital, it was bound to cause tremendous upheaval.
Gui Youguang, being a native of Jiangnan and a man of profound learning and practice, was now filled with grief and sympathy for the common people. He suddenly stood up and said,
"Grand Tutor, the people of Jiangnan have always been law-abiding. If they were not driven to desperation, they would never have acted like this. You must explain this clearly to the court..."
Zhang Juzheng had naturally considered this. He had just picked up his brush to write to Xu Jie and Prince Yu to clarify the situation. Although these people had made mistakes, their crimes did not warrant death. The talk of bandits breaking into prison was even more absurd. Even if he were to speak for the people, he should explain the truth.
However, as soon as he started writing, he remembered Gao Gong. He thought that Gao Gong and Yan Song had joined forces and caused such a matter as the petition of the hundred mountain scholars, which showed that the situation was very bizarre. With the slightest carelessness, not only would he be unable to vindicate the people, but he might also be deeply entangled and sacrificed in vain.
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Although he, Zhang Juzheng, differed from Zhu Mo in his approach to reform, his love for the people was genuine. He had indeed been furious just now, but reality was before him, so how could he not be careful?
At this moment,
He saw Gui Youguang, still full of righteousness at his age, and he was deeply impressed. He walked a few steps, took Gui Youguang's cane, and comforted him, "Master Gui, your love for the people fills me with admiration... With a wise ruler on the throne, these people will not die in vain. You can rest assured of this..."
Mm-hmm,
Gui Youguang sighed and sat down dejectedly, turning away without speaking.
Seeing Gui Youguang's naive nature, Zhang Juzheng suddenly thought of another person—
Hai Rui!
"That's right!"
"Why not find him?"
With this thought, he blurted out, "Rumor, you take the brush. I want to write a letter to Hai Gangfeng. You personally take it to Chun'an and give it to him!"
Shen Shixing sat down at the desk and nodded.
Zhang Juzheng pondered for a moment and said,
"Brother Gangfeng:
As you know. The unruly people of Wucheng were executed immediately. What pain is this? Saving the people from suffering is our aspiration, and I, Juzheng, cannot be without shame. You possess great benevolence and courage. Please come to Wucheng quickly. Without this, you cannot pacify them; without someone like you, you cannot soothe the people's pain."
After Shen Shixing finished writing, he asked in surprise, "Just this? He is only a county magistrate, and he won't be of any use if he goes!"
Zhang Juzheng unbuckled a token from his waist and said, "Give him this Ministry of War Minister's seal..."
Oh?
Several people stood up at the same time, their faces full of surprise—
This was the great seal of the Minister of War, yet it was being given to Hai Rui?
Was it useful?
Zhang Juzheng smiled calmly and said,
"Nowadays, Japanese pirates are everywhere, and the Huzhou region can also be considered a border area. I am giving him the Minister's seal, saying that it is for the preparation of border defenses. With the seal in hand, he can act with greater freedom. I will bear all the responsibility! The most important thing now is to stop further deaths. The hearts of the people must be pacified..."
As soon as he said this,
Everyone was genuinely impressed.
Gui Youguang said joyfully, "Grand Tutor, you, you are truly the pillar of the Great Ming..."
Zhang Juzheng sighed and muttered,
"They have gone too far. If this continues, there will be great chaos... Tigan, Ziwei, the two of you accompany me to the Governor-General's mansion. It would be best if Hu Zongxian is willing to take charge."
However, despite saying this,
He had no confidence in his heart.
Shen Shixing and Zhang Siwei naturally understood—
Zhang Juzheng was too deeply involved in the reforms. Since they were targeting Zhu Mo, how could they help Zhang Juzheng at this time? A meeting alone would be considered an acquaintance.
...
The news soon reached the capital.
Wherever one went, in alleys and teahouses, people were discussing the matter.
Xu Jie came by sedan chair. Even on the street, he could hear the discussions. The more he listened, the more sorrowful he felt—
"I heard that the one surnamed Yin was recommended by Zhu Mo..."
"Alas, what are they trying to do? Is this really about killing people to reform?"
"What's so strange about that? The scholars from the academy said that Zhu Mo is like Shang Yang, with the most venomous heart!"
"Impossible! Don't spread gossip. Young Master Zhu is a good person!"
"A good person? A good person would do this?"
"You don't know, I heard from a servant of Master Wang from the north of the city that as soon as Zhu Mo heard that Yangming's official school was to be established, he was not convinced and told the one surnamed Yin to do it!"
"I don't believe it! I've met Young Master Zhu, he's a good person!"
"Then tell me, with all this happening, will Wang Yangming's learning still be established?"
"I doubt it. If Zhu Mo doesn't allow it, no one can do anything..."
"But Wang Yangming isn't a bad person either. I quite like his philosophy of the mind..."
"Naturally. It's learning that teaches people to be good."
"Then why doesn't Zhu Mo allow it to be established?"
"Who knows!"
"..."
Hoo...
Xu Jie let out a long sigh, alighted from his sedan chair, his mind still buzzing.
"Alas, chaos, chaos..."