Chapter 68: Praising One and Belittling Another—Old Zhu Makes His Move (Seeking First Subscription)

In the side hall, the Emperor hosted a banquet for his guests. The imperial chefs brought out the dishes, simple as always and unchanged from before.

Zhang Zhengchang had attended the Emperor’s banquet once already, so he was not surprised by the rather monotonous fare, but the father and son of the Kong family were quite shocked. The national banquet hosted by the Hongwu Emperor paled in comparison to their own family banquets; Kong Xixue couldn’t help but glance at Zhu Yuanzhang at the head of the table. If the Emperor was not merely pretending for reputation’s sake, then he truly was a different kind of sovereign.

The Kong family had been frequent guests at the previous dynasty’s court, and they had attended countless banquets of the former Yuan Emperor. Kong Xixue took a bite to try the food; it tasted ordinary. Normally, he wouldn’t even be tempted to sample it, but seeing the Emperor and Crown Prince enjoying their meal with gusto, he realized that this Emperor was not feigning asceticism.

While Zhu Yuanzhang ate, he reminisced with Zhang Zhengchang, essentially leaving Kong and his father aside.

After a while, Zhu Yuanzhang said cheerfully, “You must be curious about what good thing Lord Zhang has brought me.”

“Lord Xu, Kong Xixue, do you know?”

Xu Da and Kong Xixue, who had overheard snippets of their conversation, responded. Xu Da answered honestly, “It seems to be related to smallpox?”

“Exactly!” Zhu Yuanzhang handed the book Zhang Zhengchang had presented to Xu Da. Xu Da did not accept it at once, saying, “Your Majesty, does this book contain secrets? If I am not permitted to read it, I’d best refrain.”

His sense of propriety pleased the Emperor. “This is precisely what makes Lord Zhang so commendable. The medical text contains what could surely be called a secret recipe! If Mount Longhu had kept this formula hidden, it would be a business worth its weight in gold. Yet Lord Zhang not only presented it to me, but suggested I spread it throughout the realm, with no concealment whatsoever!”

“That is true merit, the act of a great cultivator! So, Xu Da, you may read it freely—for soon I shall announce this method to the whole world!”

On hearing this, Xu Da and Kong Xixue’s curiosity was piqued.

Xu Da took the book and quickly skimmed through it. His expression changed dramatically. He read more carefully, then stood and bowed deeply to Zhang Zhengchang.

“Master Zhang, your deed is immeasurable! Who knows how many of our people will have their lives saved because of what you have done today!”

Zhang Zhengchang hurried to return the bow, murmuring his modesty.

The book was passed to Kong Xixue, who opened it and his expression changed as well. “Is there truly a way to eradicate smallpox in this world? Impossible!” He blurted out before realizing his lapse and quickly knelt in apology.

The Emperor smiled ambiguously but did not press the matter. “Naturally, I will have it tested, but I trust Lord Zhang would not jest about such a thing!”

Zhang Zhengchang immediately knelt. “If I have spoken a single false word, let me be punished by death!”

“I believe you. I trust your character. You, like the Kong family in Qufu, enjoyed favor from the previous dynasty, but you, Master Zhang, took the initiative to petition for a reduction in your own powers. Mount Longhu lost the privilege of issuing priest licenses, which cost you at least ten thousand taels of silver a year, did it not?”

At the mention of the priest licenses, Zhang’s heart bled. From the Emperor’s words, he realized Zhu Yuanzhang was well aware of his family’s income.

In the early Ming, people, grain, and money were all in short supply. The imperial privilege of issuing priest licenses was no small source of wealth. Zhang shuddered at the memory—being watched by this Emperor was a daunting prospect.

“You are sincere, and I cannot take advantage of honest men, Zhang Zhengchang!”

“Your subject is here!”

Zhang Zhengchang bowed, ready to receive his reward.

“I hereby appoint you Chief Priest of the Orthodox Unity, Protector of the Nation, Enlightener of the Ancestors, Sincere Exalter of the Way, Grand Virtuous Master, rank first class, and bestow upon you a gold seal, three thousand acres of land, and twelve ingots of gold!”

As the Emperor announced the rewards, Zhang Zhengchang’s eyes betrayed a faint disappointment—no ‘Heavenly Master’ title. The sovereign would not restore the Zhang family’s Heavenly Master position; yet from master to grand master, one could not say the Emperor had not rewarded him. In truth, the Emperor’s sincerity exceeded mere material reward.

He saw a glimmer of hope and hastened to kneel in thanks.

“Lord Zhang, you said the lonely souls of our northern ancestors await the sons of Han to offer solace. I will entrust you with this task. When the time comes to comfort those martyrs, it will depend on you... And you have given the inoculation method; whether the people accept it is one thing, but for the court to promote it is another. Mount Longhu must also step forward to dispel doubts among the people. In short, I thank you for your efforts!”

“Your subject obeys!”

“I will print and distribute ‘The Sublime Canon of the Microcosmic World’ to all provinces. From now on, whenever there is pestilence, monks and priests will recite this scripture. As for the medical book handed down in your family, what shall it be named?”

“May Your Majesty grant it a name!”

“This book discusses the microcosmic world, so let it be called ‘The Record of Subtle Words.’ It says that in all realms there are tiny unseen creatures; reading it chills me. I am preparing to issue a decree urging all people to boil their water before drinking…”

As the Emperor explained, Zhang Zhengchang grew increasingly excited. If being made a grand master and awarded some money and land brought little joy, it was the Emperor’s next words that thrilled him.

The benefits bestowed by the Hongwu Emperor upon the Zhang family lay not in titles or riches, but in the real assistance in expanding their influence. This influence might seem unremarkable to outsiders, but to the Zhang family, who navigated the world of religion, it was priceless. Even if his aspirations were not fulfilled here, was not Mount Longhu’s greatest strength its ability to outlast emperors and dynasties?

Yet the influence the Emperor promised today could endure for a millennium…

Zhang Zhengchang had lost count of how many times he had bowed. While he and the Emperor enjoyed a warm rapport, the Kong father and son sat as though on pins and needles.

The man they had looked down upon, Zhang Zhengchang, had unknowingly become the center of the imperial banquet, while the Kong father and son, who had scorned the Zhangs, were marginalized.

At last, Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking with Zhang Zhengchang and turned his gaze to Kong Xixue.

Kong Xixue felt a sudden sense of relief, as if he was finally being noticed, unaware that his earlier pride had vanished since being rebuffed by the Emperor.

“I once greatly admired the Duke of Descendants, which is why I insisted he come to the capital, but seeing what he has become now, I cannot help but sigh.”

“Lord Kong, how old is your father?”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s face betrayed not the slightest dissatisfaction with Kong Kejian; rather, he appeared kindly.

“Your Majesty, my father is fifty-three.”

“Fifty-three, is he? As they say, at fifty one knows his destiny, but the Duke of Descendants seems not to.”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s words made everyone tense, especially Kong Xixue, who nearly knelt before him.

To know one’s destiny at fifty, and the Emperor says Kong Kejian does not—was that not saying he lacked clarity?

Zhu Biao, Xu Da, Zhang Zhengchang, and even the rather inconspicuous Zhang Yuchu all lowered their heads, trying to make themselves less noticeable.

Everyone knew at last—the Emperor’s wrath was about to descend upon the Kong family.

First chapter update; more to come! (End of chapter)