Chapter 58: It Should Be Returned to the Saint, It Really Belongs to Me

When the ministers heard Ma Ziqiang's impeachment, they immediately understood what he was referring to.

Nowadays, most court officials would ask their servants to buy new newspapers as soon as possible.

Of course, I also read the newspaper this morning, and it is hard not to remember that so-called learning experience.

When Ma Ziqiang stepped forward this time, most of the court officials secretly cheered for him.

At that time, the emperor created a new newspaper, thinking it was just a small thing, a vernacular version of the official bulletin to make himself speak louder.

Who would have thought that it would go too far and even show signs of snatching the right to interpret the Bible!

If royal authority and the power of interpretation merge, wouldn't that become the kingdom of God on earth?

You still dare to judge what is right? Isn't this just trying to seize the power of judge?

Even out of instinct, the scholars thought it was absolutely unacceptable!

Tongzheng He Yongqing quickly slid down to his knees and pleaded guilty: "I am guilty, I wish to retire!"

Don't think he wants to stay in this position.

It was actually Gao Gong who forced him to stay with the emperor, and the emperor insisted on not letting him leave.

Previously, the Tongzhengsi was controlled by Song Zhihan, so he basically didn't have to do anything. He just occupied a position and enjoyed his leisure time.

Who knew that after Ding Anbo left, the situation would take a turn for the worse!

Look at the present situation. It has only been four months since he took over the Ministry of Public Security, and he has been impeached more than ten times in succession!
He didn't want to do this anymore!
Unfortunately, it is unrealistic for He Yongqing to escape. Zhu Yijun has not waited for the right person and does not want to let him go for the time being.

Zhu Yijun listened to the two people's question and answer, and hurriedly stepped forward to take sides and said: "Ma Qing, don't say anything that is detrimental to the court. Why don't you submit a memorial later and write down the details?"

You are still spreading rumors and misleading people. Who are you being sarcastic to?
Ma Ziqiang held his breath in his chest.

He said sullenly, "Your Majesty, the impeachment memorial I submitted last time was kept by Your Majesty."

Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said, "That was left by my mother. Let's put it in context. Don't worry, I will study it carefully and comfort the two palaces."

At this time, Fu Yi, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, He Tongzheng published your words at the Imperial Lecture throughout the country. I am afraid that this may be seen as an attempt to spy on your Majesty's mind. This is indeed inappropriate."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Youzi, the Left Junior Official of the Dali Temple, also stepped forward, holding his head and bowing, "Your Majesty, the lecture has not even started yet, and the so-called enlightenment of the Holy Lord has spread throughout the world. Do you think this is acceptable?"

Zhu Yijun glanced at the ministers in the court.

Several cabinet ministers had blank expressions on their faces, and the six ministers of state remained silent, making it hard to tell who had objections to this matter.

He naturally knew that his recent actions had aroused dissatisfaction among many people.

From Gu Huan taking charge of the Beijing camp to Hai Rui returning to Beijing, there were rumors yesterday that he was planning to change the salt administration in Lianghuai.

Today's attack on the morning newspaper is probably the result of accumulated dissatisfaction over several issues.

He was in no hurry to speak, but just watched coldly.

Now that all the officials were blaming He Yongqing, he could not take action himself.

As expected, Li, the chief secretary, understood the emperor's intention in the court and immediately stepped out and said, "I also think that what Li Shaoqing said is mature and prudent."

He bowed to the imperial steps and said, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion. Please order He Tongzheng to wait until the imperial lecture is over before publishing your words, so that the rules can be shown."

Zhu Yijun smiled slightly.

Although Li Zaiting could not be allowed to serve in the inner court, he was still very adept at attending court meetings.

As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Ziqiang was about to argue again.

Chief Censor Ge Shouli also stepped out and said, "My fellow ministers, is it that the He Tongzheng should not have published your Majesty's words, or is it that your Majesty's words have errors and omissions and should not be published?"

This is quite hurtful.

As a person left behind by Gao Gong, Ge Shouli had already become a staunch supporter of the emperor - he was extremely grateful that Gao Gong still enjoyed all the honors after his defeat.

Not to mention that after these days of contact, he felt that this emperor was in no way inferior to the Duke of Xinzheng!
Ma Ziqiang was not fooled at all, so he held on to one point: "Of course it's not that your Majesty's words are inappropriate, but He Tongzheng shouldn't have been spying on your Majesty's heart!"

Although I know what the situation is, I cannot reveal my true intentions when speaking.

Li Zaiting said in an ambiguous tone: "If this is the case, then all the Zhongshu Sheren should be punished."

For a while, the two sides were evenly matched and at a stalemate.

After the ministers argued for a while, Zhu Yijun raised his hand to stop the argument and said gently: "My lords, will you listen to me?"

After everyone stopped talking, he saw Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi and asked slowly, "Since we have come to this point today, why don't you two discuss it at the imperial lecture first, and then discuss it in the court?"

The two knew something about the situation and nodded silently.

The former watched the emperor's performance for the sake of one million taels of silver.

The latter looked at his disciple with satisfaction, waiting for him to talk.

Zhu Yijun looked at Ma Ziqiang and said kindly: "Ma Qing, just now, Mr. Ge asked a good question. I would also like to ask you, do you think there are mistakes in my words, or should my words not be published throughout the world?"

Ma Ziqiang insisted on his previous point of view: "Your Majesty, who is the Minister of Justice..."

Zhu Yijun interrupted him.

He said bluntly: "I asked He Tongzheng to publish this matter."

As soon as these words were spoken, Ma Ziqiang was stunned and couldn't think of what to do next.

Zhu Yijun looked at Ma Ziqiang with great interest, without any panic in his heart.

Academic debates, at this point in time, are less deadly.

After Xu Jie, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng took charge of the cabinet. Both of them strongly rejected the School of Mind, advocating that instead of talking nonsense all day long, it would be better to do something practical.

Even the School of Psychology has no reputation, let alone the School of Principle.

The big guys above have this kind of thinking, so the people who are promoted also have these characteristics to some extent.

Therefore, Ma Ziqiang and other ministers and junior ministers were actually a minority.

Not to mention that there are people who are trying to take advantage of the situation and find trouble with the Lianghuai and Beijing camps.

These rabble really can't make him bow his head.

Seeing Ma Ziqiang hesitating and unable to speak, Zhu Yijun did not embarrass him and took the initiative to continue: "Ma Qing, I know what you are worried about. I have no intention of establishing a system for all schools of thought."

Some things need to be said directly. Things that are shrouded in mystery are more likely to be misinterpreted. As for whether to believe it or not, it is none of his business.

"When I was young, I read Qu Yuan's Tianwen, and I felt deeply moved."

"In the beginning of ancient times, who taught the Way? How could we examine it when the world was not yet formed?"

"The universe, the self, how can I not be curious?"

"Ma Qing, do you have any doubts?"

Ma Ziqiang remained silent.

Zhu Yijun let him go and looked at Li Youzi, the Left Junior Official of the Dali Temple: "Mr. Li, do you have any doubts?"

Li Youzi sighed, "Your Majesty, I am also confused."

Zhu Yijun nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

He seemed to sigh and express his feelings: "A teacher is someone who teaches, imparts knowledge, and resolves doubts."

"I thought that after I opened the imperial lecture, you learned scholars would be able to help me solve the puzzles in my heart."

"But when I first opened the lecture, several gentlemen were arguing with each other. I felt that their arguments made sense, and I didn't know what to do."

"This only shows that I am not smart enough to tell the difference."

"After I returned to the palace, I became more depressed."

"I also thought about political affairs. For example, if one person impeaches and the other defends, I am not smart enough, so what should I do?"

"For example, in June, a white rainbow appeared in the sky. Some officials reported that it was a sign of my bad virtue, while others said it was a sign of good fortune from heaven. How could I believe it?"

"There are many other things, such as local conditions and the current situation of the people. What should I do?"

These words came from the bottom of my heart, leaving me speechless.

All the ministers knelt down and pleaded guilty. Zhu Yijun supported them falsely and shook his head, saying, "This is my lack of talent and virtue, how can it be the fault of you, my trusted ministers?"

"So, I had no choice but to learn from the way the Ministry of Justice judged cases, and I had a rule in mind."

"That is to say, everything is based on 'evidence'."

"Just like this theory of good and evil, it is not that I want to establish a doctrine for all schools of thought, but I just happened to find clear evidence when I met with it. This is what I want to say from the bottom of my heart, Tao Qing."

It was during the imperial lecture that Tao Dalin insisted that human nature is neither good nor evil, and that everything is acquired through acquired factors.

Zhu Yijun looked at Tao Dalin and nodded slightly.

Tao Dalin was still bowing his head to apologize, his head buried very low, not moving at all.

This matter is very complicated. At least it involves disputes within the School of Mind. On a larger scale, it also involves disputes between the School of Mind and the School of Principle.

A bigger issue is the dispute over the origins of the various schools of thought.

A bigger issue is that the emperor wanted to seize the right to interpret the scriptures.

At least in Ma Ziqiang's opinion, the position of judge of classics must not be left to the emperor.

He said sullenly, "Your Majesty, 'clear evidence' may not necessarily be 'clear evidence'."

In criminal law, there is a concept called perjury.

So whether it is clear evidence or false evidence, doesn't it all depend on the emperor's words?

To put it bluntly, isn't this just a fight to seize the right to interpret the Bible?
After hearing this, Zhu Yijun finally smiled in his heart. Finally, Ma Ziqiang finally fell into the rhythm of his words.

What he wanted to fight for was naturally not the orthodoxy of Confucian classics, nor was he fighting to be the judge, let alone all the other messy things like the unity of the saints and kings, and the establishment of official learning.

These feudal classics can serve as nourishment, but they can never serve as a foundation.

He wants to start a new business! What Zhu Yijun wants is something obvious - clear evidence.

The ancients made many claims. Broadly speaking, there were things like the connection between heaven and man, and things like gods, demons, and Buddhas.

Focus on the surroundings, and also consider Feng Shui, luck, and astrology.

Some people claim that thunder is the wrath of gods.

Some people claim that rainbows are a sign from heaven.

Some people claim that disease is some kind of evil spirit.

So the question is, is this true? Most people would choose to believe it.

This kind of belief without basis is called superstition.

This is how things have been throughout history.

Now, he has put forward the so-called "clear evidence" in order to set off a trend of thought - the causal relationship of the claimed things requires evidence, which is the so-called "clear evidence".

But this is not enough.

Causation can be direct or indirect, and evidence can be clear and true or false and vague.

Furthermore, how do we determine whether “clear evidence” is “clear evidence”?
Then we need to establish a unified method to verify causal relationships!

This is what Zhu Yijun wants.

At the same time, it is also the path that every civilization must take - the embryo of natural philosophy and scientific thinking system.

Ma Ziqiang’s question is very good.

Why do you say that proof is proof? Because you are the emperor?

Zhu Yijun looked at Ma Ziqiang with appreciation and said, "Sir Ma, there should be a way to judge whether the evidence is true or not."

"But my talent is not as good as that of an average person, so I can't think of it."

"Therefore, I still have to rely on all the learned people."

This means giving up the power of adjudication and reassuring these people.

As for who will be the referee?

No one can be the referee, or rather, everyone is the referee, which is what Zhu Yijun wants.

He stopped the ministers who wanted to interrupt and continued, "A few days ago, the Taoist priest donated some silver. I don't plan to use it for pleasure, so I thought of building an academy to solve this problem."

"Do you think this is possible?"

Mathematics and philosophy both took centuries to develop, so he didn't expect to see results now.

But the planning has to start now.

Technology is technology, science is science. Without a complete corresponding natural philosophy system, it will be in vain no matter how many technology trees he climbs.

It was just another Westernization Movement, nothing special.

On the contrary, if we can promote the budding of natural philosophy, we can unite the wisdom of people all over the world, and a steady stream of knowledge will emerge.

From astronomy, mathematics, physics and so on, it can be said that a little effort can achieve great results.

As for whether this will shake his position?

If natural philosophy could also take aphrodisiacs, take two steps at a time, and complete modernization within a hundred years, then he would not be reluctant to "have nothing to do today."

What's more, who says that the imperial system cannot keep pace with the times?
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, the people who had just come forward to impeach He Yongqing were all looking at each other in bewilderment.

I have absolutely no idea why the emperor is doing this.

Yang Yigui, the inspector of Guangdong, could not help but ask, "Your Majesty, do you have a candidate for the headmaster?"

If the emperor intends to appoint this mountain chief, isn't it just like taking off his pants to fart?

Zhu Yijun pondered for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Then let Ma Qing, the Minister of Rites, take the position!"

The method to verify cause and effect must be objective, and it doesn't matter who is the principal.

what?
Ma Ziqiang looked up in surprise.

I was completely confused by the emperor's move.

He did not take up the task immediately, but fell into deep thought.

Emperor, what exactly are you going to do?
He had previously made various speculations, including seizing the right to interpret the Bible and integrating politics and religion.

It also includes stirring up disputes among different schools of thought and taking advantage of troubled waters.

He even thought that the emperor wanted to establish his own sect and become a saint emperor.

But now, the emperor has thrown out the power to judge "evidence" and is going to open an academy. Even the position of principal has been thrown to me who had just opposed the emperor.

What exactly is the route?
It can't be that he is just a child and wants to use it to solve his doubts, right?

Ma Ziqiang pondered for a long time before he said, "Your Majesty, not everything has clear evidence."

"Confucius taught the world how to cultivate oneself and how to cultivate virtue. Do such things need to be proved?"

The theory of good and evil found an example for the emperor, but it does not mean that everything is allowed.

Just like the thinking of psychology, it is all completed in one's own mind, so why do we need any clear evidence?
No matter what the emperor's purpose was, he subconsciously felt that it was inappropriate and wanted to stop it.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yijun nodded and agreed with this statement.

He understands this better than Ma Ziqiang.

Natural philosophy can only deal with the scope of nature. The rest of sociology, epistemology, and ontology may not be causal or have clear evidence, and are more dependent on speculation.

I can only say that Ma Ziqiang is quite smart and can get to the point immediately.

Zhu Yijun looked at Ma Ziqiang with a serious expression and said earnestly: "Ma Qing is right, I have also thought about this matter."

"So, what I mean is..."

"What should be, belongs to the Saint; what is, belongs to me."

(End of this chapter)