Chapter 142: Rolling up sleeves and clenching fists, a dilemma
Compared to newspapers that need long-term maintenance and can be used as a tool of public opinion, posters are convenient and easy to use and can be used right away.

It was also an extremely mature means of political struggle in the Ming Dynasty.

As early as August of the seventh year of Jiajing, Shi Limo, the Censor of the Military Department, submitted a memorial to impeach this phenomenon.

It is said that when officials have disagreements on political affairs, some villains either hire storytellers to "spread their opinions to the public" or write short essays to "expose them in seclusion."

On the contrary, upright people are helpless, "the upright ones stand out, while the treacherous and secretive ones emerge in droves and are difficult to guard against."

Shi Limo hoped that Emperor Sejong would punish such behavior.

When Sejong heard this, he thought it made sense. If one had any opinions, he should express them in the court. Why did he have to go to the public and write an essay?

Not letting the referee do his job, are you looking for a new referee?

So Sejong agreed to the censor's memorial with a wave of his hand, and ordered the grassroots government offices to "secretly investigate and arrest those who submit anonymous documents."

Unfortunately, although Sejong thought there was some truth in it, his ministers did not think so, and the way the grassroots government handled the matter immediately went awry.

If the person who was behind the post is found to be a colleague, then they will turn a blind eye.

At the same time, they struck hard at the people who petitioned for justice, claiming that the complaints were whistleblowers and conducting large-scale arrests to convict them.

As a result, "the proposals for establishing models often caused trouble."

Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, Sejong immediately turned against them.

All previous policies were "dismissed", and Shi Limo therefore "found it difficult to have a voice in the public opinion, so he was transferred to an external position".

The rectification was in vain. Spreading the expose privately is still illegal, but under normal circumstances, the government will not send people to investigate and arrest people.

Until the second year of the Longqing reign, Zheng Dajing, the Imperial Secretary, and Zhong Yi, the Imperial Censor, were still writing memorials to Emperor Muzong about this matter: "The anonymous article exposed the private revenge of the traitors. It is still appropriate to order the law enforcement officials inside and outside the country to strictly investigate and arrest them."

It can be seen that the Ming Dynasty has always tolerated this matter.

As a result, the officers from the various arrest offices are now extremely insensitive when they see notices and posters in the city, and do not take them seriously.

It was not until the imperial censor Huang Jiadong saw the notice with his own eyes and hurried to the Shuntian Prefecture government and the Five Cities Military Command that the entire city of Beijing began to move belatedly.

Then it is naturally too late.

Not to mention the common people in the city, at least the candidates preparing for the imperial examination this spring are already in an uproar!

……

If we were to ask where people’s minds are the most active and discussions are the most heated throughout history, it would undoubtedly be schools.

In addition, the matter involves topics such as fairness in imperial examinations and privileges of the nobility.

The students in the Imperial College were almost ready to explode.

"I heard that even the Imperial Censor Hai couldn't stand it anymore and wrote a letter to one of the examiners, Wang Xilie, saying, 'You are fair and just and will not be partial to Taiyue.'"

"Zhang Jiangling really took advantage of your majesty's youth and became arrogant because of your favor!"

"In fact, regardless of whether it is used to manipulate public opinion, what is said in this poster, which word is wrong, which sentence is wrong?"

"Even though we are humble people, we dare not question the reputation and character of the Prime Minister. But is it necessary to clearly state the influence of the power of holding a key position in a country on the classics and policy papers of the imperial examinations?"

"Yes! The Prime Minister's words and actions are a leak of the test questions! As a father and son, if we can understand his words and actions and gain some advantages, isn't it fair for us to do so?"

"When a father is promoted to a high position, his son can be promoted to an official position. This is already a great blessing. But now some people are not satisfied with even being promoted to an official position, and they even try to interfere in the imperial examinations and seize the last bit of innocence of the poor. If this continues, why don't they just let the position be hereditary?"

"That's right! How is this different from not following the established precedents of the dynasty, just like recommending one's own son as an honorable and honest official in ancient times?"

Inside the Imperial Academy, a group of students were making a lot of noise, expressing their opinions on the poster that appeared in the capital today.

But where there are many people, there are naturally different opinions.

Some people criticized it, but naturally there were also people who supported the prime minister's son to take the imperial examination.

Lu Xingzhou slammed the table and stood up: "What kind of precedent is this in our dynasty? How can there be such a precedent in our dynasty?"

"As early as the second year of Yongle, Yang Xiang, the first place winner, was the nephew of Yang Shiqi, the regent minister."

"In the first year of Tianshun, Xu Qi, a second-class Jinshi, was the son of Xu Bin, the deputy minister."

"In the 11th year of Chenghua, Wang Yi, a second-class Jinshi, was the son of Wang Jiuyu, the Minister of Personnel in Nanjing."

"In the fifth year of Jiajing, the scholar-official Fei Maoxian was the son of the first assistant Fei Hong; the scholar-official Mao Qu was the son of the second assistant Mao Ji."

"In the 38th year of the Jiajing reign, Wu Shao, the son of the Minister of Personnel Wu Peng, passed the imperial examination and became a second-class Jinshi."

"There are many examples like this! You are spreading rumors, but do you think you can make up the precedents of the country at will?"

The man's face was red and his saliva was flying.

Obviously, his opinion did not agree with that of the students gathered together.

The students who had just been speaking in indignation also turned around when they heard the voice.

As soon as the students saw Lu Xingzhou, someone immediately sneered, "I was wondering who it was, it turns out to be Lu Xianggong's eldest son. No wonder, you are promoting Zhang Jingxiu, and also paving the way for yourself."

"The head is determined by the butt. We understand you. Go and have fun."

The imperial examination must be held through school. Students without school records are not eligible to take the examination, whether it is the provincial examination or the metropolitan examination.

The so-called students are all enrolled in official schools.

Candidates preparing for the imperial examination either returned to the provincial school to continue their studies or stayed in the Imperial Academy to study.

This is also the most orthodox origin of the Imperial College, called Jujian.

In contrast, the Imperial College also had two types of students: Yinjian and Enjian, most of whom were sons and nephews of officials, or those who were awarded this status based on their merits.

Although they were both students of the Imperial Academy, their positions, concepts and propositions were vastly different due to their different origins.

Lu Xingzhou was the son of Lu Diaoyang. When they saw him speaking, the judges immediately classified his class status.

The composition is not good, I am even too lazy to debate with him.

Lu Xingzhou, who thought he was making a good point by presenting facts, was inexplicably humiliated and immediately became furious.

He started to speak without thinking: "My father worked tirelessly for the rise and fall of the world, and devoted himself to the country and His Majesty. You, the parasites, have done nothing for the country, but you enjoy the grace of the country, and yet you dare to attack my father!"

"You are the pillars of the country and have made outstanding contributions. You have not yet repaid my kindness, and you even want to deprive us of the qualification to take the exam for no reason."

"Where is my justice? Am I guilty?!"

Unlike the Yinjian, the Jujian received money.

In addition to the annual distribution of cloth, silk, clothes, hats and boots, two sets of clothes and two stones of rice would also be given to children.

That's why Lu Xingzhou deliberately poked at this sore spot.

As soon as these words were spoken, all the supervisors turned pale and became furious.

"How dare you! You nobles, will you have no descendants?"

It's not just noise.

Some people have already rolled up their sleeves and are eager to try.

The situation was about to get out of control.

When someone was appointed to supervise an area, Yu Menglin stood out from the crowd.

He first stood in front of his companions to stop them, then looked around and bowed to them: "Everyone, if you have anything to say, please talk. A gentleman uses words, not fists."

After persuading everyone, he looked at Lu Xingzhou and said in a calm and clear voice, "Mr. Lu, there is no need for us to say angry words anymore. Let's just talk about the matter."

Lu Xingzhou snorted coldly and moved back to where he was about to turn around.

Yu Menglin maintained his courtesy and continued, "You said that there is no such precedent in our dynasty. You cited examples from Hongwu to the present to show that the sons of ministers can also take the imperial examinations."

"Then let me ask you, are these people following the rules, or is it just because the emperor condones them that some people are deceiving their superiors and their subordinates?"

"Let's start with what was just mentioned, that Wu Shao, the son of the Minister of Personnel Wu Peng, passed the imperial examination and became a second-class Jinshi."

"This person is taking the exam for someone else! This is the public opinion of the world. Doesn't Mr. Lu know this?"

"At that time, 'everyone knew about recruiting people to take the exam, but no one dared to speak out'. Wasn't it because the Minister of Personnel Wu Peng held such an important position that he dared to promote such corruption in the imperial examinations?"

"Is it possible that King Sejong was deceived, or is it legal for someone else to take the exam?"

"Furthermore, the notice also said that when the second son of the assistant minister Zhai Luan passed the imperial examination, Emperor Shizong immediately dismissed him from his post and investigated him. Why did Master Lu avoid talking about it? If this is not a punishment based on the established precedent of the dynasty, what is the basis for it?"

"Doesn't this prove that investigating this matter is in accordance with regulations? If not, it would be the emperor's extrajudicial appeasement?"

"As for depriving it for no reason, that is even more ridiculous."

"Is the great justice of the imperial court's talent selection ceremony, the foundation of great government, and the eight thousand candidates more important, or is the small justice of the qualifications of the children of you, the ministers, for the imperial examination more important?"

"Emperor Shizong criticized Zhai Luan, saying, 'Even if the two men have the talent of Su Shi and Su Zhe, they cannot be used.' If the talents of Su Shi and Su Zhe cannot be used, then how can Zhang Jingxiu and you, Master Lu, be allowed to change even if you really have the talent of a Jinshi!"

After these words of rebuttal and argument, the supervisors in the school looked relieved as if they had found a substitute.

Everyone cheered in unison.

"Well said! No loss of face!"

"Isn't that so? What was carefully concealed back then, is now being blatantly exposed by these playboys!"

"They are so selfish, how can they care about justice?"

We share the same hatred and are filled with righteous indignation.

Faced with this scene, Lu Xingzhou felt alone and helpless, and became increasingly depressed.

Just now, when facing a group of people who were shouting at him, Lu Xingzhou was still able to scold them for being ignorant and saying that their jealous eyes and sour words were just to suppress their competitors.

But Yu Menglin is different.

The Imperial College has six halls, namely, Following Nature, Cultivating Taoism, Sincerity, Justice, Raising Ambition, and Expanding Business.

Although Yu Menglin was born in a poor family, his knowledge was the best among the six halls!

With this level, it is almost certain that he will become a Jinshi, and there is no need to suppress anyone.

Both the ranking and the argument put Lu Xingzhou in an embarrassing situation.

It is undoubtedly a very uncomfortable thing to find yourself in a disadvantaged position.

What was most frustrating was that he could not answer the question of how to ensure fairness when ministers' nephews and nephews participated in the imperial examinations - if they relied on character, there had been a Yan Song in the dynasty.

Lu Xingzhou couldn't find a suitable place to refute it, and he became even more angry.

He managed to organize his words and was about to speak.

Just at this moment, the school door creaked open.

Everyone thought the doctor was coming to give a lecture, so they all shut their mouths, looked out the door, and prepared to stand up and salute.

Take a closer look.

He was not some gentleman at all, but the protagonist that everyone was talking about, Zhang Juzheng’s eldest son Zhang Jingxiu!

Zhang Jingxiu pushed the door open and walked in. He stood at the door and glanced at everyone in the school without saying a word.

He finally set his sights on Lu Xingzhou.

Zhang Jingxiu walked up to Lu Xingzhou. Facing Lu Xingzhou's puzzled expression, he just made a slight gesture and then led the man out without saying a word.

All the students watched quietly.

It was not until Zhang Jingxiu walked outside the school that the noise from inside was heard again.

Zhang Jingxiu listened attentively for a moment, then turned around, met Lu Xingzhou's inquiring gaze, and said, "Someone from the cabinet just came and told us to go home first and not cause any trouble."

This meant that they should stay out of the spotlight first and wait until the court had reached a conclusion. Zhang Jingxiu took two steps toward the outside of the Imperial College, and seemed to remember something. He paused and added, "Wang Qian has already returned home."

Lu Xingzhou was silent for a moment.

Even Wang Chonggu's son had to go back to hide from the limelight... It seems that although the notice only impeached Zhang Juzheng, both his father Lu Diaoyang and Wang Chonggu were affected by it.

He could not help but frown and quickly caught up with Zhang Jingxiu: "Who is so sinister and treacherous that he secretly posted posters to deceive ignorant students?"

Ever since the emperor took charge of the examination and performance appraisal system and made arrangements, even those who were a little slower in thinking understood the emperor's attitude.

Lu Xingzhou naturally knew that as long as the emperor's attitude did not change, his father would be as stable as a rock in the court.

Even he knows it, so naturally some people know it too.

So they simply did not fight in the court, but instead used this disgusting method, dragged a group of students in, and put them on the scales of the fight.

It’s really insidious!

Zhang Jingxiu walked in front and said without turning his head, "The memorial was submitted by the official Liu Bushi, but it seems that he was not the one who posted the notice. I don't know the details."

Lu Xingzhou gritted his teeth.

He said angrily: "My dear brother, I will definitely pass the imperial examination this time and give these people a slap in the face!"

After hearing this, Zhang Jingxiu's expression immediately became a little complicated.

After a long while, he finally sighed and said, "I won't take the exam this time. I'll wait until my father passes away."

Lu Xingzhou was stunned: "Ah?"

He walked quickly to Zhang Jingxiu's side and asked cautiously, "Is this what Mr. Zhang meant?"

After hearing this, Zhang Jingxiu stopped.

He looked up at the sky, then turned back to look at Lu Xingzhou, shook his head and said, "No, he said he would take care of it, but... forget it."

Lu Xingzhou found it hard to understand. Once every three years, how many three years are there in a lifetime?

Not to mention that the older you are, the better you are at taking the imperial examinations. In many cases, the older you get, the less spiritual you become.

He couldn't help but ask: "Why?"

When Zhang Jingxiu heard this, he didn't answer at first.

After a long while, he pursed his lips and said in a bitter voice: "I am only twenty-two, I can still wait. He has waited for too many years. If he is affected by this, there is no time to wait."

"I took the initiative to boycott the exam, and no one will make it difficult for me."

After saying this, Zhang Jingxiu couldn't control his emotions anymore, so he turned around in a hurry and walked out.

Lu Xingzhou looked at Zhang Jingxiu in confusion.

No, man.

If you don't take the exam, what should I do? If your son, the first minister, doesn't want to take the exam, can my son, the deputy minister, take it anyway?

We are all sons and nephews of the minister, you can't harm your brother!
He hurriedly caught up with him and tried to persuade him: "My dear brother, listen to me. Political struggle is a life-and-death struggle. You cannot retreat even a single step. If you..."

The two people gradually walked away and the sound gradually faded.

……

at the same time.

It's just across the street from the Imperial College.

A school faces north and south and is three rooms wide.

These four pieces of solid wood were lacquered and carved. I don't know when a craftsman was hired to carve and paint some mountains, rivers, the sky, the sun and the Big Dipper.

Although the plaque above the head is still empty, the couplets on the left and right have been supplemented with a pair of beautiful words.

The dragons and phoenixes are flying and dancing, and it is obvious that they are the work of a famous artist.

It's a pity that the characters are good, but the text has no rhythm, which is a pity for such a good character. He said, "Next, I will demonstrate the framework of how the world works."

Although it is confusing, the good thing is that it complements the words "seek truth" and "ask for the way" on the wall.

Of course, those who passed by Donghuamen were either dignitaries or scholars, and they generally did not care about the details of this small government office.

Especially when students from the Imperial College passed by, they would usually mock and say that the student was imitating someone ugly.

However, Zhang Juzheng stood at the door with his hands behind his back for a long time, absorbed in the matter.

Until Xu Jie's voice sounded behind him.

"To seek truth is to seek the true nature of the world; to seek the way is to ask about the way of nature. This is what your majesty said, and I don't understand what it means."

Only then did Zhang Juzheng come to his senses.

Seeing Xu Jie following suit and standing beside him with his hands behind his back, he quickly bowed and said, "Teacher."

Xu Jie waved his hand and said, "You are too rigid in your courtesy. When you drove me out of the cabinet, you were very clear about it. It would be better if you were not so respectful."

Every student has a thick skin in front of the teacher.

Zhang Juzheng was also accustomed to the capricious way the master of the School of Mind spoke.

As if he hadn't heard it, he asked, "What does this couplet mean? Is it aimed at Qu Zitian's question?"

Qu Yuan once asked, "In the beginning of ancient times, who taught the Way? How can we study it when the world was not yet formed?"

It somehow fits with the couplet's words "demonstrating the framework for how the world operates".

Xu Jie lowered his head and said helplessly, "His Majesty only asked me to take care of administration and not to interfere in other matters. How would I know?"

Zhang Juzheng nodded thoughtfully.

He pointed at the door plaque again curiously: "Why is there no name yet?"

Xu Jie turned around and led Zhang Juzheng into the courtyard, saying, "Your Majesty did not allow me to write an essay, saying that a name would be given after the spring examination."

He walked in front.

Along the way, many students and doctors greeted Xu Jie.

Occasionally someone would recognize Zhang Juzheng and hurriedly bow.

This shows that the people here are indeed of humble origins, and even the Prime Minister does not recognize them.

The two of them walked one after the other. Xu Jie took the initiative to ask, "Why are you free in the cabinet today and think of looking for me?"

It was the middle of the day, and even if it was lunch break, the most he could do was take a nap. He didn't have the time to run outside Donghuamen.

Zhang Juzheng followed behind Xu Jie and replied casually, "I was impeached and just asked to retire. I was about to go back and refuse visitors, so I came to see you."

It’s said to be on the way, but it’s not actually on the way.

It is convenient to walk towards Wumen from Zhang Juzheng's residence. If you go out through Donghuamen, you have to take a long detour to get home.

But Xu Jie did not expose it and led Zhang Juzheng to a study.

He took out a portion of tea from under the desk, sat in front of the coffee table, and started brewing it himself.

"About the reveal?"

Zhang Juzheng was wandering around in the study room. When he heard Xu Jie's question beside the tea table, he stopped and turned around to answer, "It was Liu Buxi's impeachment. It had already been kept by His Majesty, but it was suddenly posted everywhere today."

“Now the response from Shilin students is quite great.”

Xu Jie lowered his head and fiddled with the tea leaves, nodding his head: "No wonder the Imperial College next door is so noisy today."

"But... you really should apply for retirement, otherwise you will be impeached for clinging to power, which will make you even more passive."

It is illegal to expose the post.

But if the Prime Minister is caught up in the whirlpool of public opinion and does not make any statement, it would be a political accident.

Zhang Juzheng sighed and said, "It was my fault for not making preparations earlier."

It's not that I'm careless, but it's just too unconventional.

The rule that sons and nephews of powerful people cannot take the imperial examinations has long been broken beyond recognition.

Two years ago, Yang Bo's son passed the imperial examination and a grand banquet was held, but no one remembered this.

Now, whether it is him, Lü Diaoyang, Wang Chonggu, Shen Shixing, or even the deposed Zhang Siwei, whose nephew is not preparing for this year's imperial examination?

I didn't see anyone say no.

But precisely because of this, we can more or less conclude that it was not done by today's court officials.

Xu Jie smiled and said, "No wonder, it's only when you're so bored that you think of your master."

He looked up and saw Zhang Juzheng looking through the bookshelf, obviously very bored.

Xu Jie could not help but shook his head: "This is easy, just let your son withdraw from the exam."

Zhang Juzheng immediately stopped turning the pages of the book.

Then he slowly closed it and said in a complicated tone, "Since my son was little, I have urged him to study hard and encouraged him with the title of top scholar."

"In the school, if anyone neglected their studies, I would scold and beat them without mercy."

"Since this year, the imperial examination is approaching. I have encouraged, urged, and taught them lessons. My hopes are growing more and more earnest..."

At the end, Zhang Juzheng sighed, "I can't bear to let my son quit the exam."

After hearing this, Xu Jie suddenly felt red in the eyes as if he was remembering something.

He lowered his head, slightly concealing his feelings, and commented: "You are just too strict, to your son, to your students, and to yourself."

Zhang Juzheng remained silent.

Xu Jie spoke up again and offered advice: "Then go home and wait. His Majesty will certainly support you and allow your son to take the exam."

Zhang Juzheng turned around after hearing this, and his expression could not be seen clearly: "This impeachment itself is reasonable. If we must say it, the sons and nephews of the Prime Minister are indeed not worthy of taking the imperial examination."

"If Your Majesty goes against the crowd and supports me, I'm afraid it will also hinder your virtue and be criticized by the scholars."

This is the purpose of posting.

Especially when it comes to things like fairness, it has always been a useful tool.

Even if we take a step back and say that Zhang Juzheng is upright and did not give his son a backdoor, and all the examiners did not curry favor with the powerful and marked the papers with a clear mind, then what about the future? Can every minister do the same?

Why should I break the rules for you, Zhang Juzheng, and cause endless trouble?
When Xu Jie heard this, his face immediately turned ugly.

He threw the cup lid in his hand and said unhappily, "Why think too much? This is a test for him to be the emperor, not your business as the Prime Minister! You really think of yourself as the emperor and think of it for him!"

"It doesn't matter if people scold you or if the emperor's virtue is damaged, you should be a good official!"

"If you are willing to learn the mind from me, you will understand that these are all illusions!"

Zhang Juzheng didn't listen at all.

He shook his head, unwilling to continue the topic.

He changed the subject abruptly: "Teacher, please show me around this academy. I have not had any free time before, so today is a good opportunity to see what His Majesty is working on here."

　One more chapter, later.

　　This subject did cause some uproar because Zhang Juzheng's son was going to take the exam. Hai Rui's words were written to the chief examiner, Lü Diaoyang, and are from the Collection of Hai Rui. Later, there was also a saying that Zhang Juzheng instructed Wang Xilie to cheat for his son in this subject, but this statement came from "Zhi Yi Ke Suo Ji", which was written by a Qing Dynasty person. The source of the statement could not be found, so it is likely fabricated. As for the statement that his son failed to pass the Jinshi exam, Zhang Juzheng was so angry that he cancelled the selection of Shujishi for this subject, this statement came from "Ming History" and is quite subjective, but there is no reason why this session of Shujishi was cancelled. Everyone can judge for themselves.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)