Chapter 168: Self-reflection and Final Verdict

After the joint examination, the palace examination will be held to rank the candidates.

At the beginning of the country, the emperor personally took the test in the palace on the first day of March, and later it was usually held on the fifteenth day of March.

Therefore, on the fifth day of March, the Ministry of Rites held ceremonies such as reading the papers and announcing the results of the examination, wine and food were provided for the palace examination, and a banquet was given to the officials who read the papers.

The emperor agreed and issued an edict.

In the palace examination, those who were selected from all over the country as tribute scholars, including Grand Secretaries Zhang Juzheng, Gao Yi, Lu Diaoyang, Wang Chonggu, Shangshu Wang Guoguang, Zhu Heng, Ma Ziqiang, Zhang Han, Shi Maohua, Assistant Ministers Shen Shixing and Wen Chun, Ge Shouli of the Censorate, Ni Guangjian of the Ministry of Public Security, Chen Dong of the Dali Temple, Wang Xilie of the Hanlin Academy, Tao Dalin of the Imperial College, etc., were appointed as readers.

On the seventh day of March, Qingming Festival, court was suspended for three days due to the death of Consort Zhang, the Empress Dowager of the Ming Dynasty.

On the same day, Tao Dalin, the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, asked for leave due to illness.

……

There are many rains in the Qingming season, and pedestrians on the road want to break their souls.

The emperor left the palace again.

Surprisingly, no one tried to dissuade or stop it this time.

Even though Empress Dowager Li had some complaints, she tacitly allowed the emperor to leave the palace with the full support of the cabinet.

Because Tao Dalin, an old minister of the Eastern Palace and a member of the Prince's Daily Lecture Hall, was about to die.

After eliminating the risk of infectious diseases, the court officials all held a positive attitude towards the emperor's personal visit.

Zhu Yijun waited for Xu Wenbi to arrange guards around the Tao Mansion before he stepped into the gate of the Tao Mansion amid the flattered and terrified looks of the Tao family.

As soon as he reached the door, a medical officer was brought in by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Your Majesty, Master Tao has been suffering from a cold for several days and has not gotten better. Now he has developed an acute condition of cold poison attacking his heart. I am afraid..."

The imperial physician explained the cause of the illness to the emperor and shook his head politely.

Zhu Yijun listened silently.

When cold poison attacks the heart, it can cause a heart disease such as myocarditis, which is indeed difficult to cure with medicine in this era.

He did not blame the imperial physician, but waited for him to finish speaking and asked him to step aside.

Zhang Hong saw that the emperor was about to enter the house, so he advised him, "Your Majesty, you are a precious person, so just stay outside the door to visit."

The door was not closed, but was blocked by a screen.

Since the medical officer said that Tao Dalin could not be cured, he must not live long.

Even if it is not contagious, it is somewhat unlucky, so Zhang Hong gave some advice.

The civil officials who accompanied him remained silent, neither following the advice nor refuting.

Accompanying the emperor on this trip were Shangshu Ma Ziqiang, Shilang Zhu Dashou and other officials from the Ministry of Rites.

Zhu Yijun shook his head: "Tao Qing is my daily lecturer, my teacher, and he is a man of integrity. How could there be any evil spirit lingering in the house?"

After saying that, he followed the Jinyiwei who were leading the way and walked straight in.

As soon as you enter the house.

Zhu Yijun felt the scent of herbs coming towards him.

All the bottles and jars on the table were put away, but traces of the medicine stains were still everywhere.

Zhu Yijun moved his gaze from the table to the bed.

Tao Dalin was seen with a pale face, one hand covering his chest, and was supported by his family as he saluted with difficulty.

"His Majesty."

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

Tao Dalin comes from a family of officials, and everyone in his family is very well-behaved.

Especially his elder brother, who was the retired Right Censor-in-Chief and Governor of Guangxi, was able to make arrangements in an orderly manner when faced with the emperor's sudden visit.

Seeing this, Zhu Yijun stopped him and said, "If you are seriously ill, don't be polite. Help the teacher lie down quickly."

It is because of this that he is called teacher. Otherwise, outsiders would not be qualified to invite Zhu Yijun to visit him.

After saying that, Zhu Yijun turned to Zhang Hong and nodded at Tao Dalin with his side cheek.

Zhang Hong immediately understood and stepped forward to help the man onto the bed.

Tao Dalin was experiencing palpitations and chest tightness at this moment. He was already severely weak and could faint at any time.

He had not expected that the emperor would come to visit him in person. As soon as he lay down on the bed, tears started to flow down his cheeks. He said weakly, "I am so honored that your majesty has shown such great kindness that he has personally cared about my humble condition."

Zhu Yijun quietly looked at Tao Dalin's appearance at this time. He had completely lost the cleverness and cunning that he had when hiding behind people during daily lectures and court meetings.

This is the death of man...

Tao Dalin is only 59 years old this year. He is in good health and has no old age diseases.

Unexpectedly, a respiratory infection caused the cold to attack his heart, and he was about to become the first acquaintance of Zhu Yijun to die in this life.

The emperor was moved and gave him some words of encouragement - when conditions permitted, Zhu Yijun was a very humane emperor.

Things like get well soon, take medicine on time, bring mutton wine to the teacher, do some warm tonic, etc. Anyway, auspicious words come out like this without any cost.

Of course, these are all nonsense. Everyone present knows that acute heart disease is incurable.

But even so, both Tao Dalin's family and the officials of the Ministry of Rites behind Zhu Yijun were touched by this scene.

Tao Dalin suddenly sat up and waved his hand to let his family go out first.

Then he looked at the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I had difficulty breathing last night and fainted twice today. I know my own situation best. I will definitely not survive."

Zhu Yijun was moved with compassion and refused to respond.

Ma Ziqiang couldn't bear it, so he advised: "Don't be discouraged, Tao Jijiu, there is always a way out."

Tao Dalin smiled in relief: "Grand Master, I'm afraid the Ministry of Rites has already written my obituary, right?"

Ma Ziqiang was speechless.

Tao Dalin looked at the emperor again and said, "Your Majesty, can I hear how the obituary is written?"

When a person dies, it is like a light going out, for all the people are destroyed.

Before most civil servants die, few of them do not care about their reputation after death.

When Tao Dalin was lying in bed these past two days, the thing he feared most was not that he would die soon.

Rather, he was afraid that he would be as insignificant as a feather in the history books and would soon be forgotten by everyone.

On the contrary, if one can have a good reputation, even if one does not build a shrine or a temple and enjoy the incense, at least one's name can be passed down. Who knows, when future generations write novels, one can even live again in the book.

Therefore, it is really important for civil officials to make the final judgment.

Zhu Yijun waved his hand and asked his entourage to wait outside.

The eunuchs retreated without saying a word, and the people from the Ministry of Rites hesitated for a moment and followed them out.

Only the king and his minister were left in the room.

Zhu Yijun sat down beside the bed and said slowly, "I wrote the teacher's obituary myself. If it is not needed, it's fine. If it is needed, the Ministry of Rites will not change it."

He could see that the dying man had the chance to see the emperor again, and his desire to express himself had reached its peak.

Zhu Yijun was very tolerant towards the dying man and simply spoke to this old minister in a private manner.

Tao Dalin did not shy away from the fact that he was about to die, and said frankly: "Your Majesty, I want to hear it."

Zhu Yijun pondered for a moment and recited: "Dalin, a native of Kuaiji County, Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhejiang Province, was a Jinshi in the Bingchen year of the Jiajing reign. He was appointed as an editor of the Hanlin Academy, and served as a reader, a bachelor of the Nanjing Hanlin Academy, the head of the academy, the chief academician of the Imperial College, and the junior secretary..."

He paused and said, "He is a man of calmness, seldom speaks or laughs, and is upright and self-disciplined."

Tao Dalin curled his lips and said, "It's hard for Your Majesty to find good words for me."

This means that he has no achievements and no outstanding abilities, and his only advantage is his personal integrity.

This comment made Tao Dalin look a little complicated.

Zhu Yijun shook his head and replied seriously: "When the teacher encounters a problem, he always retreats bravely. Isn't this the conclusion that the teacher wants in his heart?"

Also a daily lecturer.

Chen Dong recommended himself on the issue of Nanzhili; Yu Youding was sent to Shandong to assist in the salt administration; Chen Jingbang lowered his status and went to supervise the military examination.

Compared with these people, Tao Dalin's subjective initiative was much worse. Whenever something happened, he would protect his colleagues in front of him. Zhu Yijun was not unaware of it.

While the emperor was speaking, Tao Dalin gasped for breath and breathed rapidly.

After the emperor finished speaking, he slowed down his breathing and said with difficulty: "Your Majesty is right. I have indeed failed your Majesty's trust."

Zhu Yijun asked curiously, "Teacher, do you have any problem with me?"

He was simply curious.

He was a good emperor, but Tao Dalin was never completely loyal to him, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Tao Dalin was silent for a moment.

After a while, he shook his head and said, "Your Majesty...I'm fine."

Zhu Yijun looked at Tao Dalin, waiting for his explanation.

Tao Dalin didn't know whether he had no scruples before he died or he was already drowsy, he slowly started to explain: "Your Majesty, my grandfather Tao Xie was an official in the Ministry of War."

"When he was serving Emperor Wuzong, he was slandered by Liu Jin, listed as a traitor, imprisoned by Emperor Wuzong, beaten twice in court, and demoted to a commoner."

"When King Sejong came to power, he was reinstated, but a fire broke out in the palace, and King Sejong became suspicious of him, so he retired and returned home."

"My elder brother, Tao Dashun, served as the Right Vice-Chief Censor and Governor of Guangxi. He performed his duties conscientiously and brought peace to the region."

"When I was serving the previous emperor, I was framed and the treasury lost money. I had no choice but to use my family's wealth to make up for it, but I was still dismissed."

Tao Dalin talked about the experiences of his father and brother.

Finally, he sighed and said, "Your Majesty, I am not dissatisfied with anyone. I am just afraid."

It's not easy to have a career in politics.

Due to the jealousy of the Imperial Household Department, the suspicion of the Emperor, and the frame-up by his colleagues, it was all luck that his father and brother did not lose their lives immediately.

Especially after he passed the imperial examination, he was young and ignorant and was almost involved in the major case of impeaching Yan Song by Wu Shilai.

From then on, he walked on thin ice and was very cautious.

He dared neither form cliques nor do anything, for fear that he would be doomed at any time.

Don't think that everything about the emperor is good now.

When King Sejong first ascended the throne, he re-enthroned his grandfather. Didn't he treat him with respect and courtesy, and speak softly to others?

As a family of officials, we have seen all the hardships that our ancestors have gone through.

Therefore, he was made to be "calm and resolute, seldom talking and laughing", and he dared not take any challenge from the emperor, and only wanted to retire peacefully.

After hearing what Tao Dalin said, Zhu Yijun didn't know how to respond for a moment.

As a subject, it is obviously not right to say such things in front of the emperor. Tao Dalin must have been going through a lot in his life and was a little out of his mind.

Thinking in his heart, Zhu Yijun did not comment much, but just nodded: "I understand."

It is difficult for a ruler and his subjects to get along well with each other, especially when they have both the ability and the willingness.

If you want to unite these court officials, it would be impossible, just like selecting and mobilizing soldiers.

Isn't Tao Dalin's attitude the true mentality of some court officials today?

Therefore, Zhu Yijun did not get angry or scold him, but simply said that he understood.

Tao Dalin was in a trance: "What posthumous title will Your Majesty give me?" The posthumous title was originally chosen by the Ministry of Rites, but his own obituary was written by the emperor himself, so it was obvious that he would not miss the posthumous title.

Zhu Yijun stood up from the edge of the bed and said, "I haven't made up my mind yet. I'm hesitating between Wenbi, Wensi, and Wenyi."

Historically, Tao Dalin's posthumous title was Wenxi.

In the Compilation of Ming Dynasty Posthumous Titles, Xi means cautious and fearful.

In the "Book of the Later Zhou Dynasty·Explanation of the Posthumous Titles", there is a person named Xi.

This is not a good posthumous title.

Zhu Yijun also wanted to save some face for his Eastern Palace Daily Lecturer, so he personally selected three satisfactory posthumous titles.

When Tao Dalin heard the three posthumous titles given by the emperor, his face suddenly flushed as if he had a last burst of light.

He grasped the edge of the bed and spoke with difficulty, sounding hoarse: "To make up for past mistakes is called �; to regret past mistakes is called 思."

"Your Majesty, are you mad at me for being a mere idler?"

Peng Hua, a cabinet minister during the Chenghua period, formed a clique with his fellow townsmen Li Zisheng and Deng Changen to oppress their colleagues. Afterwards, he repented and reformed, and was posthumously named Wensi.

Zhu Yijun shook his head seriously: "I don't blame you. If the officials in the court had the character of my teacher, I would wake up laughing in my dreams."

It is enough to maintain your moral integrity and do your job well.

It is impossible to expect everyone to want to make progress and revolve around the emperor.

He pondered for a moment and said slowly, "It is a great kindness to suddenly realize one's mistake. I just think that you have done a better job since you took charge of the Imperial College than before."

Although Tao Dalin did not take the initiative, it must be said that the influence was subtle.

After Zhu Yijun ascended the throne, he was much more dedicated than before.

Tao Dalin's blush faded, and he murmured, "No wonder he was put together with Wen Bi."

Zhu Yijun nodded: "It is said that the teacher has done a good job in his job since I ascended the throne, compared with before."

"If the teacher feels that the first two posthumous titles are inappropriate, then the posthumous title Wenbi is better."

Whether a posthumous title is good or bad also depends on the examples set by our predecessors.

Since Tao Dalin minds that Peng Hua has discredited his literary talent, he might as well choose a different text for comparison - the latter has never been used in the Qing Dynasty.

As for choosing the good and following it...it not only refers to his job, but also to him, Zhu Yijun.

This is a preferential treatment for the daily lecturer of the Eastern Palace.

"It doesn't matter what the emperor does. The emperor does a better job than me, even better..." Tao Dalin's voice became smaller and smaller, "His talent is second to none, his political tactics are second to none, his character is second to none, and even his academics are second to none."

Tao Dalin slowly closed his eyes and said in a whisper: "When you were in the Qing Palace, you were mediocre. I couldn't help but despise you when I taught you. Who knew you would be so precocious and even learned to hide your shortcomings at that time."

"It would have been fine if you were hiding it then, but you are still hiding it now. After I took charge of the Imperial College, I often interacted with Li Zhi. You can't hide it from me... I'm afraid you have accumulated the skills of a master now."

"I wanted to see how you were going to deal with Wang Ji and the others in three days, but unfortunately I... Unfortunately I..."

Halfway through.

The body that Tao Dalin was leaning on suddenly went limp, and he fell straight off the bed, about to hit the ground.

Zhu Yijun was quick to act and caught him.

He reached out and touched Tao Dalin's nose, then sighed, laid him down on the bed, covered him with a quilt, and turned and left.

Zhu Yijun pushed open the door and everyone rushed over to greet him.

He shook his head: "Tao Qing is dead."

Zhu Yijun said it lightly, but he was deeply touched.

Especially, the passing of such an elderly friend made him feel a little depressed.

However, that's all.

Upon hearing this, Tao Dalin's family burst into tears.

All the ministers were dismayed when they saw this.

Zhu Yijun's mind was full of thoughts, and he looked at Ma Ziqiang: "Tao Qing has been teaching and educating the world, and his hard work is all for you."

"One of his sons was appointed as a student of the Imperial Academy, and he was given money, cloth, and rice, and was given special permission to offer sacrifices and burials, and was given the title of Minister of Rites, and his posthumous title was... Wenbi."

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, Ma Ziqiang was a little surprised: "Wenbi?"

"Choosing the good and following it" is a good posthumous title, at least better than the Wenxi that was discussed within their Ministry of Rites.

He hesitated for a moment: "Your Majesty, should we let the Ministry of Rites examine it first..."

The wording of the obituary is nothing special, and outsiders don't pay much attention to it.

The posthumous title is different.

This will be written on the epitaph and passed down through the ages.

How can the emperor make a single decision on matters that differ from the Ministry of Rites?

It is the established law that civil officials give posthumous titles to the emperor, but why is it that Tian Gang asks the emperor to give posthumous titles to his officials?

Even if Ma Ziqiang doesn't care, he is not the only one in the Ministry of Rites.

Zhu Yijun nodded when he heard this and said, "Then Ma Qing should discuss the result I want, and don't delay me from casting the stele for Tao Qing's portrait."

Ma Ziqiang paused and opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

The Ministry of Rites is owned by my family? Doing these things every day?

Zhu Dashou, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, caught the emperor's second half of the sentence and subconsciously asked, "Is the portrait cast into a stele?"

He had no dissatisfaction with the posthumous title chosen by the emperor.

Tao Dalin was his relative, and he had always wanted Tao Dalin to be given a good posthumous title. Now that the emperor had said so, he was happy to see it happen.

Zhu Yijun showed a trace of sadness: "I have always been a man of talent and treated people with sincerity. Now that the restoration is not even halfway through, Tao Qing has passed away. I can't help but feel sad and emotional."

"It just so happens that there is still some spare money in the treasury, so I can build a palace, hang paintings and cast a monument to commemorate him."

A huge sum of money is spent on horse bones, and this is also the time that Tao Da took the initiative before his death.

Since the contribution is not obvious, it is a good opportunity to express one's opinion. If one squeezes to the back, there may not be such a good opportunity again.

When these words were spoken, all the officials in the Ministry of Rites present were shocked and looked at each other in bewilderment.

Ma Ziqiang glanced at the emperor. Is he really going to build the Lingyan Pavilion again?

No!

Even so, what virtue and ability does Tao Dalin have? He is not as loyal and dedicated as I, Ma Ziqiang!
Zhu Yijun patted Ma Ziqiang on the shoulder, expressionless: "Let's go back to the palace."

Ma Ziqiang scratched his ears and cheeks, following silently in a daze.

……

The tenth day of March.

At this time, it was halfway through the Yin hour and the sky was dark.

Xue Yingqi withdrew his tentative hand outside the eaves and nodded with satisfaction - it rained for two more days after Qingming Festival, and it really stopped today. It was rare for the Imperial Observatory to be reliable.

He walked back to the tea room and said to Gu Xiancheng, who was kneeling and pouring tea, "Your Majesty has treated me with sincerity. Tao Dalin is not well-known, but he can be treated with such courtesy by Your Majesty."

"When you become an official in the future, you must assist His Majesty with all your strength."

Gu Xiancheng heard this and nodded respectfully: "I understand, teacher."

Seeing that his disciple was not upset after passing the imperial examination, Xue Yingqi nodded in approval.

Then he suddenly thought of something and sighed, "It was my fault for rushing you to go to Beijing to take the exam this year."

"Otherwise, with your level, you can at least get to the level of first-class after another three years of polishing."

Gu Xiancheng's ranking in the imperial examination was not high, only 324th.

It can be said that if it weren't for the first imperial examination this year, and the emperor had not shown mercy and expanded the enrollment by 100 people, this would have been the level of failure.

That's why Xue Yingqi said that he acted too hastily.

Gu Xiancheng pushed the poured tea in front of the teacher and said seriously, "Teacher, what are you talking about? Since we have expanded the enrollment this year, there is no reason not to give it a try."

"Although the ranking in the current examination is not high, whether you can reach the second place depends on the palace examination."

"To put it another way, even if I am a Jinshi, I am only 25 years old, so I may not be able to be selected as a Shujishi."

He spoke very clearly, and it was obvious that he had no regrets about his decision to take the exam.

Xue Yingqi became more and more satisfied when he saw that his disciple was able to keep his composure.

He sighed, “I hope so.”

"Although you were defeated by Li Zhi this time, you have at least gained fame and a place among the scholars."

"With all these accumulations, if I can be selected as a Shujishi, my future will be much easier."

Fame is too valuable.

Don't think that Gu Xiancheng has suffered a loss now.

But as long as you keep Wang, it's all worth it.

When Li Zhi was mentioned, Gu Xiancheng's face finally showed some changes.

He looked at Xue Yingqi with some concern: "Teacher, are you really sure about Wang Shizhen's literary gathering today?"

Today is the tenth day of the lunar month, which is also the time when Wang Shizhen has an invitation. Gu Xiancheng is a little worried about his teacher.

During these days, he was completely defeated by Li Zhi.

But he is just a junior after all, and losing is not shameful. On the contrary, it will help him accumulate fame.

His teacher Xue Yingqi was different.

If he were to be defeated in public, he would become a stepping stone for Li Zhi.

Especially since Xue Yingqi is already 75 years old this year, and he thinks slowly. How can he compare with others in terms of quick thinking?
Xue Yingqi took a sip of tea and replied nonchalantly, "I will teach you one last lesson."

“Learning, besides doing it for yourself, is also about telling the world about it.”

"Your knowledge can be mixed, it can be improved, it can be refined."

“But never doubt that you are inferior to others.”

"If you don't even believe in yourself, why should the world follow you?"

After saying that, Xue Yingqi glanced at his disciple and saw Gu Xiancheng frowning and lost in thought.

Xue Yingqi continued, "It was you, me and Li Zhi who first built this stage. No matter how bad its reputation is, it should belong to us and Li Zhi."

"Now Wang Shizhen comes to interfere. What's his right? Whether he wants to sing or has other motives, we can't give up the stage."

"As for whether the debate was good or not, and who will win the orthodox prize...your master will be there to support us."

Gu Xiancheng seemed to understand and nodded thoughtfully.

The two chatted for a while.

Xue Yingqi estimated that the time was almost up, and said, "It's almost Mao time, let's go."

Gu Xiancheng stood up quickly: "I'll go prepare the sedan chair."

Xue Yingqi nodded, walked under the eaves, and waited with his hands behind his back.

He looked up at the sky and saw the dawn light, a streak of light cutting through the early morning.

(End of this chapter)