For Zhu Su, the matter of guarding the frontiers and serving as a bulwark for the imperial house was nothing unfamiliar.
In the eleventh year of Hongwu, his second brother Zhu Shuang had been enfeoffed at Xi'an, and his third brother Zhu Gang at Taiyuan.
His fourth brother Zhu Di had originally been scheduled to depart this year for Beiping. Yet because of the matter of the luminous screen and the early recall of the Great General Who Pacifies the Barbarians, Xu Da, the enfeoffment had been temporarily postponed. It was likely that when Xu Da returned north, Zhu Di would depart together with him.
As for Zhu Su himself, the Prince of Zhou, his domain at Kaifeng had long since been decided. His original departure had been set for the coming year.
During his days remaining in Yingtian Prefecture, his eldest brother Zhu Biao had spoken to him of the regions he had seen in earlier years. Zhu Shuang had written from Xi'an of plans to restore the city's defenses. Zhu Gang had written from Taiyuan that the people there were unruly and difficult to govern, and that he was still striving to adapt.
All this had made Zhu Su yearn to leave Yingtian, to see the customs of the provinces with his own eyes rather than remain among palace libraries.
But after the Emperor's birthday, their father had given the brothers a sheet of paper, saying that if they could understand the meaning within it, it might be of great use to Ming.
From that time onward, Zhu Su had begun to feel that perhaps he should remain in Yingtian somewhat longer. Here were countless books and scholars of every sort.
More important, within those few sentences concerning science, he seemed to glimpse a perilous peak shrouded in thorns. At its summit there appeared faintly the single principle that scholars of Neo Confucianism had sought for two or three hundred years.
And today, after witnessing the magnificent luminous screen and hearing the later age's evaluation of the Washing Away of Wrongs, that feeling had only grown stronger.
The customs of Kaifeng no longer tugged at his heart.
Moreover, his father had said this was not the first appearance of the screen. If so, there would likely be a third and fourth. His desire to remain in Yingtian became firmer still.
Zhu Yuanzhang hesitated.
The discourse on science he had given to his sons had also been distributed among certain scholars for consideration. Some responses had substance.
Yet Zhu Su was his own son. Which bore greater weight, defending Ming or investigating science?
As the Emperor pondered, he felt his sleeve tugged lightly. He looked up and met Empress Ma's earnest gaze. His heart softened.
"Very well. Fifth Son shall remain and watch these later age discussions with me. The matter of Kaifeng may be postponed."
Zhu Su's face brightened with joy. Zhu Biao was equally pleased, for among his elder brothers he had always liked this fifth brother.
Zhu Biao felt a measure of relief. It was rare indeed for their father to retract a command.
…
In the Hall of Broad Governance, Qian Chu raised his brows.
"Our Great Song caused the Mongol Khan to perish upon the battlefield?"
It was his first time witnessing the luminous screen. Yet after Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Pu had explained the map to him, drawing comparisons and pointing out the vastness of the world, Qian Chu had begun to form a preliminary sense of its scale.
Thus the boundless Mongol territories displayed upon the screen appeared all the more terrifying.
He also recalled that this Möngke was the very victor of that Kurultai struggle. To think he had met his end in such a manner.
At Qian Chu's remark, Li Yu let out a soft laugh, though not entirely in mirth. He remembered how Zhao Kuangyin had summarized his own fate in but a few sentences earlier. His heart felt unsettled.
The Prince of Jin had shaved his head and entered the clergy. Zhao Kuangyin had already forbidden wine and rich fare within the palace. If no unexpected events occurred, the remainder of the Prince's life would likely be spent chanting sutras rather than scheming.
If his life was safe, then why had Zhao Kuangyin summoned him here? Li Yu's gaze drifted in confusion.
He suddenly recalled Qian Chu's earlier words, that all rivers returning to one was the greater trend.
Meanwhile, Zhao Pu, speaking softly to Zhao Kuangyin, said,
"Gold and silver in one's hand cannot warm the body nor fill the stomach. Yet they may be used to regulate the affairs of the people and pacify the realm. Without wealth, the state cannot be stabilized."
Zhao Kuangyin sighed.
He understood this all too well. The Sealed Treasury had been established precisely for such purpose.
It was a pity, he thought, that later generations would rather expend such funds upon Mount Tai in offerings to spirits than strengthen the army and carve inscriptions at Yanran.
Monk Kongjiong shrank back slightly, uncertain whether to speak.
[Lightscreen]
[When we last discussed Neo Confucianism, we mentioned that before his death Zhu Xi nearly brought about its great flourishing.
In the Two Songs period, Neo Confucianism can broadly be divided into three stages.
The first was the transitional period from Northern to Southern Song, when turmoil forced rapid evolution of various schools.
The second was the era of contention among great scholars such as Zhu Xi, Lu Jiuyuan, and Lü Zuqian, culminating in the Goose Lake Debate. This stage ended with Zhu Xi's death and Han Tuozhou's factional prohibition, which persecuted Neo Confucian scholars.
The third began when Emperor Lizong honored the Cheng Zhu school. During this period, Neo Confucianism became orthodox thought.
Unlike traditional Confucianism, which emphasized literature and governance, Neo Confucianism placed greater weight upon moral cultivation. Zhu Xi himself said, "In reading history, one should observe great principles, great opportunities, and the gains and losses of order and chaos," placing great principles first.
Modern scholars argue that Zhu Xi's historiography followed a main thread of shaping history to return to the purity of a single principle. Using Neo Confucian standards to judge events and figures, it sought to preserve moral order for later ages.
Simply put, historical records influenced by Neo Confucianism carry a strong moral tone.
To speak of Jia Sidao, one must first speak of Shi Miyuan.
Assassinating a chief councillor, executing those who advocated peace, forging imperial edicts, deposing and enthroning emperors, yet not being placed in the Biographies of Treacherous Ministers is relatively rare.
Yet comparison reveals that during Shi Miyuan's tenure, the Jiading Reform was implemented, those persecuted during the Qingyuan Party Prohibition were rehabilitated, and Emperor Lizong, who later honored Neo Confucianism, was elevated with Shi Miyuan's support. Thus Shi Miyuan indeed contributed to the development of Neo Confucianism.
In contrast, Jia Sidao controlled the Censorate, suppressed the Imperial University students, and criticized empty Neo Confucians as feeble and incompetent men who did not understand military, finance, or law.
Under such circumstances, those adept at rhetoric naturally sought to overturn the coffin lid of the Jia family.
Modern scholarship has also examined that Tiemuertashi and Zhang Qiyan, who were deeply involved in compiling the History of Song, both studied the origins of Song Confucian learning. Ouyang Xuan, who established its format and wrote its discussions and prefaces, was likewise deeply versed in the Cheng Luo tradition.
To judge history by moral standards is not in itself a grave issue. It is simply one perspective. Jia Sidao's private conduct did have flaws.
But if one fails to recognize historical necessity and instead attributes outcomes solely to personal morality, the problem grows serious.
By that logic, the only person who could have saved Southern Song might have been someone like Hai Rui.
Yet had Hai Rui occupied Jia Sidao's position, he too might have been consigned to the Biographies of Treacherous Ministers.
It was said that in Southern Song, one might rather offend Mongolia or even the emperor than offend powerful clans and the literati. By promoting the Public Fields Law, Jia Sidao offended them all.]
When the final line appeared, silence settled across many halls.
In Lin'an, scholars of the Imperial University exchanged glances. The Public Fields Law had once been discussed in their halls with fervor. Some had praised it as bold reform. Others had condemned it as encroachment upon property.
Within the palace of Song, Emperor Lizong's expression was unreadable.
"Offended them all?"
He repeated the phrase softly.
A senior minister bowed.
"Your Majesty, the matter of public fields was intended to enrich the state. Yet it touched the lands of great households. Opposition was inevitable."
Lizong looked toward the luminous screen.
"Was there another path?"
No one answered at once.
Elsewhere, in the Ming court, Zhu Yuanzhang let out a low breath.
"Offended them all."
He glanced at his ministers.
"To strengthen the army, to enrich the state, to centralize authority. Which of these does not offend someone?"
Li Shanchang lowered his head.
"Sire, reform always breeds resentment."
Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze hardened.
"If fear of resentment prevents action, then no reform will ever be undertaken."
Zhu Biao spoke cautiously.
"Yet if resentment accumulates beyond measure, it may undermine the throne itself."
Zhu Yuanzhang did not rebuke him.
Instead he said,
"That is why law must be clear. And power must not be divided."
His words were measured.
In the Song hall, Emperor Duzong shifted uneasily.
If Jia Sidao had indeed supported his accession, and if he had later allowed satire to circulate without suppression, what did that say of loyalty and authority?
A court scholar ventured,
"Your Majesty, when morality becomes the sole measure of history, those who act pragmatically will always appear suspect."
Duzong frowned.
"Are you suggesting we abandon morality?"
The scholar bowed deeply.
"I suggest only that morality alone does not command armies nor fill granaries."
In Huagai Hall, Zhu Su listened intently.
If Neo Confucianism judged by moral purity, and science required verification, and if reform required offense, then where lay the proper balance?
He spoke quietly.
"Father, if one seeks a single principle to explain all under Heaven, then one may overlook circumstance. But if one attends only to circumstance, one may lose the principle."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him.
"You would reconcile them?"
Zhu Su hesitated.
"I would first understand them."
Above, the luminous screen remained unchanged.
The phrase "offended them all" lingered in clear script.