Chapter 101: Settling the Waves, Part IV

Chapter 101: The Fourth Calm After the Storm

“Oh?” Zhu Qizhen inquired, “What prompts this statement?”

Yu Qian replied, “Your Majesty only regards Minister Li as a noble and esteemed official, yet you may not know that during Emperor Taizong’s reign, Minister Li submitted memorials on current affairs that angered Taizong. Still, Taizong said that what Minister Li spoke was truly beyond alteration.”

“Moreover, the National Academy is a place to nurture talent for the state. If Minister Li were merely a pedant, how could he have been appointed as the Academy’s Dean? Your Majesty, please rest assured; entrusting this matter to Minister Li guarantees all will be well.”

Zhu Qizhen said, “However, Minister Li must go into exile far away. I wonder if he can be assigned to Xin’an?”

Yu Qian responded, “The court and officials alike believe the punishment was excessive. With Your Majesty’s gracious decree, the ministers’ hearts will be won. Even the Grand Secretariat will understand.”

Zhu Qizhen said, “Then I entrust this matter to you, sir.”

Yu Qian bowed, “I shall not fail Your Majesty’s trust.”

After watching Yu Qian depart, Zhu Qizhen finally exhaled deeply, replaying their conversation in his mind. He found no fault with the plan and relaxed somewhat.

At this moment, Zhu Qizhen embodied the belief of sovereign and ministers battling a hundred times a day; every conversation was a skirmish to him.

Fortunately, Yu Qian was a gentleman.

A gentleman could be dealt with by principles.

Yu Qian remained manageable. Yet this did not lead Zhu Qizhen to underestimate him; on the contrary, he cherished him more.

In the court, various demons and fiends were abundant, but true gentlemen, consistent inside and out, were rare. Or rather, gentlemen should not mingle in such a court.

Indeed, everyone’s tragedy stemmed from their own character.

Yu Qian was no exception.

During the Coup at the Gate, no matter whom he sided with, he could have reached the highest echelons, yet he chose neutrality, leading to his eventual fate.

Perhaps Zhu Qizhen did not realize that he himself had become one of the fiends he despised. The more so, the more he admired Yu Qian’s virtue.

Though he could not emulate it himself.

Yu Qian had handled this matter well.

Within days, the court’s decree was issued: Li Shinian was demoted from Dean of the National Academy to county magistrate of Xin’an.

Among ministers and officials, many sympathized with Li Shinian and planned to see him off on the day he left the capital. Yet Li Shinian seemed prepared in advance.

He left the capital two days earlier. By the time they realized, he was already gone from Beijing.

Yet Li Shinian could evade everyone except one.

Li Shinian, accompanied by an old servant, hired a carriage and left through the East Straight Gate, heading toward Tongzhou to board an official ship.

But just as he exited Beijing, several burly men blocked his path.

Li Shinian drew back the carriage curtain and glanced around. He immediately recognized them as military men. Fearless, he said, “What is this? Does someone wish for my life?”

“We dare not,” the leading officer saluted. “We are merely ordered to invite you for a discussion, sir.”

Li Shinian asked, “What if I refuse to go? What then?”

“We would not harm you, but under the emperor’s gaze, who dares to mistreat a court official? Sir, that would be too reckless.”

The officer’s words made Li Shinian smirk. He knew the truth was different. When Ji Gang was at his most arrogant, he fought openly with the Marquis of Yangwu, Xue Lu—husband to Princess Changde—in Nanjing’s streets, drawing weapons and bloodshed.

If one truly believed no one dared break the law under the emperor’s nose, one would be naive. Those who dared were precisely those who fancied themselves above the law.

They revered power, not justice.

This was true through the ages.

But now, Li Shinian had only an old servant and a driver, none adept in combat. In his youth, he might have been strong, but now age had sapped his strength.

Better to be prudent than forcibly taken.

Even in death, a gentleman dies with his hat on.

They escorted Li Shinian to a dilapidated pavilion by the roadside, ancient and broken, without a single intact stone seat, open to the sky, but at least a place to sit.

As Li Shinian approached and saw who awaited him, he was shocked, exclaiming, “Your Majesty!”

It was Zhu Qizhen himself.

Hastening forward, Zhu Qizhen helped Li Shinian up as he knelt. “Please, sit, Mr. Li.”

Once seated, Zhu Qizhen said, “I am ashamed to face you. Such a grave oversight happened among my men. I feel deeply guilty. But this demotion is the Empress Dowager’s will—I cannot change it. I have prepared some wine and food here in your honor.”

With a wave, attendants set four dishes—two meat, two vegetables—still steaming, and a pot of wine upon the table.

Zhu Qizhen rose and poured a cup for Li Shinian.

Li Shinian accepted it with both hands, deeply moved, yet said, “Your Majesty’s kindness humbles me. However, I have one word to ask Your Majesty to forgive.”

“Please speak,” Zhu Qizhen encouraged.

Li Shinian said, “Your Majesty shoulders the weight of the realm. You cannot casually travel the Ninefold Palace adorned in dragon robes, for fear of mockery by insignificant pests. Should anything befall you, what of the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager? What of the realm? I beg Your Majesty to reconsider.”

Zhu Qizhen was moved inwardly.

This was truly Li Shinian.

He never sought favor for himself. Even if the emperor treated him well, he held to his nature. Though he appeared utterly loyal to the emperor and the Ming dynasty, his true loyalty was to Confucian principles.

Zhu Qizhen explained, “This journey has already been reported to the Grand Empress Dowager. Three hundred Embroidered Guards will protect me with an impenetrable shield. Please rest assured, sir, nothing will go wrong.”

Li Shinian quickly interjected, “Your Majesty, this is mistaken—”

Before he could finish, Zhu Qizhen interrupted, “I know my error. After our talk, I will return to the palace immediately, is that agreeable? I did not come merely to escort you, but to discuss an important matter and seek your counsel.”

Upon mention of serious matters, Li Shinian’s expression turned grave. “Your Majesty, ask what you will; I shall speak fully and frankly.”

Zhu Qizhen said, “Emperor Taizu, in response to the Wokou pirate raids, ordered a sea ban. But now, times have changed. Though some pirates remain, they no longer threaten the realm. Some have advised me to emulate the Song dynasty’s Maritime Trade Office, which levied no extra taxes on the people but still sustained the state.”

Li Shinian heard this and immediately said, “Your Majesty, strike down this treacherous minister! When governing, Your Majesty must emphasize benevolence and righteousness, not profit!”

Zhu Qizhen asked, “Sir, the court is at war in many regions, and disaster relief requires funds.”

Li Shinian replied, “Allow me to remind Your Majesty of Mencius: when the people live in peace and prosperity, the realm is stable. That is benevolence and righteousness. As for money, it is but a minor concern. Your Majesty’s governance must be rooted in virtue. If you focus only on finances and profit, the treasury may swell while the realm falls into chaos.”

“During Qin and Sui times, was there no wealth? No—it was because benevolence and righteousness were absent.”

Zhu Qizhen said, “I have learned my lesson. Still, I have considered that by collecting one more tax from maritime trade, the people pay less inland. This supports agriculture. Those who can venture to sea are from wealthy families, sir. You understand this is taking from the surplus to aid the deficit.”

Li Shinian nodded silently, saying nothing for a moment.

Zhu Qizhen sighed in relief. “Sir, I cannot rely on one-sided advice. Xin’an lies a thousand miles away, and I cannot go there myself. Your scholarship and character are unmatched; I trust you most. Whether this plan succeeds or fails, I do not know. Appointing you magistrate of Xin’an may burden you, but it is partly my selfish wish—to have you test if this method works.”

Li Shinian immediately bowed. “I understand Your Majesty’s intent. As long as I may serve, I will go anywhere—even to the ends of the earth. I shall thoroughly investigate this matter in Xin’an and report back whether it succeeds or fails.”

Zhu Qizhen said, “Good. I entrust this task to you.” He then assigned four Embroidered Guards to protect Li Shinian, enabling him to submit memorials directly through their channels to the Inner Court.