Chapter 130: Where You Stand Determines Where You Sit, A Different Kind of Fairness

Zhang Yi was dressed in a Daoist robe, yet he had appeared in his own home.

Xu Cunren was utterly exasperated. The fact that the boy was wearing a Daoist robe proved that he had not gone to the Imperial Academy at all. He had skipped class.

But skipping class was one thing. Running to his teacher’s home—was that not a little too brazen?

“Zhang Yi, if you refuse to attend school, then at least stop coming here to flaunt yourself in front of me. You are nearly the death of me…”

“Madam, he is bullying me…”

Xu Cunren had barely finished complaining when Zhang Yi darted behind Madam Xu in search of reinforcements.

Xu Cunren was furious. Whenever the boy was alone with him, he would sit and debate the classics without the slightest fear. Yet now he was using his youth to win Madam Xu’s support.

What made matters worse was that Madam Xu, usually the very picture of gentleness and virtue, turned around and glared at Xu Cunren as if to say: If you dare bully Zhang Yi, I will settle accounts with you.

Xu Cunren could only sigh helplessly.

Especially after he had been imprisoned, Zhang Yi and Madam Xu had grown so close that they were practically grandmother and grandson.

“Master, Zhang Yi only came because he was worried about you. Why are you putting on such airs as his teacher?

“If it were not for these two children, you would still be in prison…”

Xu Cunren could do nothing but smile bitterly.

“When I was in prison, at least someone was thinking of me. Now I have everyone turning against me…”

He had yet to finish when Zhang Yi poked his head out from behind Madam Xu.

“Teacher, just tell me whether it worked. As long as the emperor is satisfied, that is all that matters…”

It had worked far too well.

Old Xu’s head throbbed. Zhang Yi’s plan had indeed allowed him to escape the emperor’s punishment, and the emperor had even praised it lavishly. But what happened afterward had slipped far beyond his control.

Xu Cunren had expected the inclusion of mathematics in the imperial examinations to cause an uproar, but he had never imagined the disturbance would become this great.

“Actually, teacher, it depends on how you look at it. This matter has certainly caused an enormous commotion, and I expect you will have a difficult time for quite a while.

“But just as you once went to remonstrate with the emperor while prepared to die, have you made the proper mental preparations for your current situation?

“If you acted entirely for the public good, then you can face yourself with a clear conscience.

“They say that one’s seat determines one’s mind. The real question is: Is your seat on the side of the empire and the people of the realm?”

Xu Cunren lowered his head and fell into thought. It was precisely because he was confused that he had been so uneasy.

When he had risked his life remonstrating with Zhu Yuanzhang, Xu Cunren had believed he was unquestionably in the right. Thus, he had been able to face death calmly.

The unfortunate habit of Confucian scholars was that they occasionally imagined themselves earning a place in the annals of history.

During his last act of remonstrance, he had possessed his own convictions. But this time, when he had drafted the memorial to placate the emperor, he had not felt the same way.

Because from beginning to end, the idea had been Zhang Yi’s.

“In truth, sir, the reason you are so uneasy is that including mathematics in the imperial examinations has genuinely harmed the interests of certain people, and your own homeland is one of the places most severely affected.

“Mathematics has been added to the examinations, but there are only two years to prepare. The students south of the Yangtze will have to change what they study at short notice. Naturally, they will be full of complaints.

“If you stand on the side of your fellow countrymen, then you can indeed be called a criminal.

“But from the perspective of scholars throughout the realm, it is certainly a good thing. If fewer candidates from the south succeed, more candidates from other regions will have a chance.

“From the emperor’s perspective, it is beneficial as well.

“And for the stability of the realm, it may be considered a meritorious deed.”

Zhang Yi’s specious arguments came one after another, making Xu Cunren frown deeply.

“For generations after the Song dynasty, the regions of Zhejiang, Suzhou, and Jiangxi have been renowned as the homeland of prodigies.”

Zhang Yi knew that Xu Cunren probably did not fully understand his meaning, so he explained it directly.

“If special examinations are held, those regions will indeed have an advantage. We will not even mention how blessed they are with outstanding people and abundant talent. Even in terms of the atmosphere for study and the conditions available for learning, they are far ahead of other places.

“Though the wars at the end of the Yuan dynasty devastated the entire realm, the lands south of the Yangtze remain the wealthiest region in the country.

“Great Confucian scholars have emerged there generation after generation. Their students, and their students’ students, have long formed intricate networks throughout society.

“The transmission of knowledge, as well as the methods used to anticipate examination questions and analyze their solutions, is something students from other regions cannot possibly match.

“If everyone else has an advantage of six or seven points, those born in these regions naturally begin with two points more.

“Once that becomes a virtuous cycle, the strong will only grow stronger.

“People say that the literary arts require poverty while martial pursuits require wealth. But if a person cannot even secure food and clothing, how many can truly rise through study?”

Xu Cunren’s brows drew together slightly. After thinking it over, he had to admit the reasoning made sense.

For scholars, the imperial examinations concerned the fate of their entire lives. In society, it was also common for scholars to band together.

Ever since the economic center of China had shifted southward, the talent produced in the southern regions had become the main force in the imperial examinations of successive dynasties. Their students were indeed excellent, but the strength of their teachers and the intangible influence they wielded were equally impossible to ignore.

They were all human beings. Give one person seven points of talent and a life free from worry over food and clothing, and he would naturally gain an additional advantage. Give another the same talent but force him to struggle merely to survive, and his divided attention would prevent him from giving his all.

As one side rose and the other declined, who could still claim that everyone stood on equal ground?

Moreover, in examinations, such things as the court’s approach to setting questions, the ability to predict them, and the techniques for solving them might make little difference between an ordinary person and a truly clever one.

But among equally gifted candidates, these subtle advantages could become the final straw determining whether one passed or failed.

Why did the inclusion of mathematics in the imperial examinations provoke so much opposition? Places such as eastern Zhejiang had long developed their own complete educational systems. If mathematics were suddenly added, some of the subjects in which they excelled would be brought down to the same level as those of other regions.

This would not affect the truly gifted students. But for those who hovered between passing and failing, it might be enough to cause them to miss the mark.

And the imperial examinations were one of the best means available to officials for choosing allies. In officialdom, the most reliable allies were naturally one’s fellow countrymen.

The reforms proposed by Xu Cunren would effectively strip these people of their advantages, which was why they opposed them with such ferocity.

And yet…

This advantage had not been granted by anyone. It had been accumulated by generations of people. Why, then, did Zhang Yi believe it was unfair?

Zhang Yi understood the doubt in Xu Cunren’s eyes. He did not keep him guessing and spoke plainly.

“There is a saying that one’s seat determines one’s mind. Teacher, you feel sorry for the students from your homeland because you are from Jinhua, from Zhejiang.

“But from the emperor’s perspective, that may not be fair at all.

“From the standpoint of ruling the empire, do you think the emperor wants all his officials to come from only a few places, or would he prefer them to be distributed evenly?

“When too many people from one region gather in the court, it means they will band together. It means factions.

“And that can lead to even greater problems.”

Zhang Yi thought of the future North-South Examination Case, but did not mention it. Instead, he changed his approach.

“The benefits of the imperial examinations may indeed have been won step by step by the ancestors of those regions. But can you truly say that no interference from power was involved?

“If there was such interference, what emperor would permit it to continue?

“So what you consider fair, sir, may be unfair from the emperor’s perspective.

“If I were the emperor, I might go even further…”

“Nonsense!”

The instant Zhang Yi finished speaking, Madam Xu smacked him on the head.

“Madam, that hurts!”

Zhang Yi covered his head, his eyes brimming with tears.

“Do not speak so carelessly. The emperor is the emperor; he cannot simply be replaced. If you say such reckless things, you may bring disaster upon Mount Longhu…”

Madam Xu had struck him to warn him. Zhang Yi nodded at once.

Whether Madam Xu truly cared about him or not, Xu Cunren was currently hated by the entire realm. Zhang Yi indeed should not have said anything like that. Walls had ears, after all, and the memorials seeking Xu Cunren’s impeachment were probably enough to have him executed ten times over.

Madam Xu brought the conversation between Xu Cunren and Zhang Yi to an end.

Zhang Yi had lost all interest in talking. He had already eaten his fill, so he waved at Xu Cunren.

“Sir, I am going back to refine pills!”

With that, Zhang Yi darted away like a streak of smoke.

By the time Old Xu realized he still wanted to ask about several other matters, the boy had vanished.

“Oh dear!”

After running out through the gate, Zhang Yi collided with someone. He looked up and found Liu Bowen.

“It is you!”

Liu Bowen recognized Zhang Yi as well. The little Daoist was wearing his robe today.

“Greetings, Lord Liu!”

As Zhang Yi saluted Liu Bowen, he secretly studied him from the corner of his eye.

Although they had met several times before, Zhang Yi had not known his identity then. This was a legendary figure from history, another historical personage he had encountered besides Madam Chang and Chang Mao. And Liu Bowen’s standing was far higher than theirs.

Unfortunately, Zhang Yi was full of goodwill toward him, while Liu Bowen’s expression made it seem as though he found the boy thoroughly distasteful.

“At this hour, should you not be at the Imperial Academy? You are a Daoist, but His Majesty ordered you to study there, and you should take it seriously.

“Do you imagine that because your teacher is a professor, you may do as you please?”

Zhang Yi immediately developed a headache. He had no idea how to deal with such a stern old man.

“Lord Liu is right to reprimand me. I understand now. I will go at once…”

Without waiting to admire his idol any longer, Zhang Yi turned and ran toward the street corner.

“Beyond all instruction. No wonder the rumors say that Zhang Zhengchang, having been stripped of his Heavenly Master title by His Majesty, left this child behind in the capital out of resentment.

“I must also remind Xu Cunren to keep Kong Ne from spending too much time with him, lest the boy learn bad habits.”

Liu Bowen did not waste much more thought on Zhang Yi. He was about to knock on the gate of the Xu residence when a carriage slowly approached from the distance.

A familiar figure stepped down from it.

“Eunuch Wang!”

“So it is Lord Liu!”

Eunuch Wang dismounted and greeted Liu Bowen.

“So Lord Liu is also here to see Lord Xu. What a coincidence. His Majesty wishes to see him as well.”

“If His Majesty wishes to see him, then this official shall not.”

Liu Ji raised his brows thoughtfully, cupped his fists toward Eunuch Wang, and then climbed into the carriage and left the street.

After watching him depart, Eunuch Wang knocked on the gate of the Xu residence.

“Master Xu, His Majesty wishes to see you!”

Eunuch Wang had met Xu Cunren before. After explaining the purpose of his visit, Xu Cunren hurriedly put on his official robes and entered the palace.

Eastern Pavilion, the Imperial Study.

Zhu Yuanzhang always had more state affairs than he could possibly finish.

After Xu Cunren paid his respects, Old Zhu did not even lift his head. While reviewing memorials, he asked, “Are you recovered from your illness?”

Xu Cunren was both amused and embarrassed. Everyone in the court knew the real reason for his “illness,” and the emperor’s words were plainly meant to tease him.

“Your Majesty, I am no longer seriously ill.”

Though he knew the emperor was mocking him, Xu Cunren could only answer honestly.

“I see that your illness is a sickness of the heart, a sickness of escape. Do you, Xu Cunren, believe that you have done wrong and have no face to meet your fellow countrymen in the lands east of the river, so you hid yourself away?”

Zhu Yuanzhang was not easy to deceive. He exposed the truth without the slightest hesitation.

“Your Majesty’s reprimand is entirely justified.”

Xu Cunren lowered his head and echoed the emperor’s words.

“Then answer me this. Your proposed reforms to the imperial examinations are opposed by the entire court, including your fellow countrymen from Zhejiang.

“With resistance so fierce, do you still believe that your principles are correct?”

Xu Cunren smiled bitterly. Zhu Yuanzhang’s question was a matter of life and death.

Now that the emperor had already decided to implement the reforms, would it not be courting death to say they were wrong?

But if he said they were right, then in the face of the surging public opposition, he would offend his fellow countrymen by persisting.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Cunren said,

“Today, I learned a saying: one’s seat determines one’s mind.”