Chapter 65: Even Mischievous Children Are Contagious, The Warmth and Coolness of Human Relationships

Zhu Biao differed from Zhu Yuanzhang in one respect: as a youth, he still harbored a trace of innocent illusion about the world. Influenced by Song Lian, he indeed admired Confucianism, and his reverence for the Great Sage and Teacher Confucius was only natural. Though Zhang Yi had once shattered his illusions, there had been no solid proof; it was only the secret memorial before him now that made Zhu Biao truly understand the meaning behind Zhang Yi’s words.

Interests move the human heart. Once Confucianism was established, all the scholars of the realm exalted Confucius to the altar, and the descendants of the Kong family inherited a trace of divinity, becoming, in fact, the totem of the Confucian community. But a totem is just a totem; it ought to stand there quietly, to be worshipped, to be honored, and nothing more. Once they too became enamored with worldly power, the aura upon them faded swiftly, and they became no different from the scheming, corrupt officials of the court.

The emperor observed coldly, but when he saw the look of distaste on Zhu Biao’s face, he nodded with satisfaction. Zhang Yi’s observations about ecclesiastical and secular power resonated with Zhu Yuanzhang. Although Confucianism calls itself a family, in essence, it resembles a peculiar “religion.” Since ancient times, China’s tradition has been the separation of church and state. Since the descendants of Confucius enjoyed the legacy of their ancestor and the incense offerings of scholars across the land, to further encroach upon secular authority would be overstepping boundaries.

“The Zhang family’s words may not always be heeded, but on this point, their experience is real. Eldest son, in your leisure, you should read more history! The last theocratic regime in our land was established by the third Celestial Master of the Zhang family, Zhang Lu. When Zhang Lu’s experiment failed, the Zhang clan learned their lesson and never again approached the core of power. Even during the Mongol rule in the Central Plains for eighty years, though they enjoyed great privileges, the Zhang clan always approached the center of authority with great caution. In this, they see more clearly than Kong Kejian…”

Zhu Biao reflected, glancing at his father again. The Zhangs had neither the halo of Confucius nor the mantle of righteousness tied to the scholars of the realm. Without that sense of propriety, with his father’s temperament, Mount Longhu might long ago have been washed in blood.

“Innocence in youth is no fault. When I was your age, I may not have done better…” Zhu Yuanzhang, noticing Zhu Biao’s disappointment, sought to comfort him: “No one is born to be a good monarch. One is tempered step by step. Your days are long yet; do not be impatient…”

Halfway through his words, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly thought of Zhang Yi’s face and laughed out loud.

“What’s so funny, Father?” Zhu Biao asked, bewildered. Old Zhu replied, “With Zhang Yi and his foul mouth, it saves me much effort in tempering you!”

Zhu Biao could not help but laugh and cry at once, yet he felt his father was not wrong.

“Father has been tempered by that foul mouth as well!”

“Hmph, you dare mock me?” The emperor, now embarrassed and angry, feigned to strike him. Zhu Biao leapt up and fled.

“Get back here, you rascal!”

“Father once said, if I think I’m right, I should run first and explain later. If I outrun you, the victory is mine…”

Old Zhu was furious, feeling as though he had hoisted a rock only to drop it on his own foot. How had his good son turned out this way? Blast it, had he been led astray by that foul-mouthed brat? Thinking again of Zhang Yi, Zhu Yuanzhang could only find him repugnant.

Fortunately, Zhu Biao was not truly running away; he soon returned, and with great ceremony, knelt before the emperor. Seeing his son’s understanding, Old Zhu was much gratified.

“Father, how should we deal with the Kong family tomorrow?”

Even the young could bear grudges directly; Zhu Biao would not even deign to call Kong Kejian by his title of Duke of the Sage’s Lineage. The emperor smiled and replied, “If they will not preserve their dignity, then I shall help them do so! Go now and rest—this is an imperial command, no disobedience allowed…”

He knew Zhu Biao’s heart ached for him, wishing to stay and work alongside him, but as emperor, he put on his airs and drove the crown prince from the imperial study. Once the prince had departed, he returned to his desk and continued to work.

…

The next day, at the fourth watch, Zhang Zhengchang arrived early at the palace gates to await his audience. Though he need not have come so soon, he dared not presume. Since being reprimanded by Zhu Yuanzhang last time, he had developed an instinctive fear of the sovereign. With Zhang Yuchu and the disciples in tow, he stood respectfully at the gate, watching the officials come and go for court.

He saw a confident official pass by—Zhang Zhengchang knew him as Li Shanchang, Grand Councillor of the Ming. He also saw Master Song, whom Zhu Yuanzhang addressed as “teacher,” and caught sight of the shrewd-looking Hu Weiyong; Yang Xian, Wang Guangyang—he had met each of them once.

When Zhu Yuanzhang was still King of Wu, they had respectfully addressed him as Celestial Master Zhang. But now, they would not even spare him a glance. The fickleness of men is known only to the heart.

“Didn’t Celestial Master Zhang just leave the capital? Why is he here again?”

“He’s a Daoist, isn’t he? Hard to avoid bringing auspicious signs and proclaiming peace…”

“Having lost the title of Celestial Master, I could hear his resentment from miles away…”

The morning wind was strong and cold. Colder still were the words carried by the wind—each one a dagger to the heart. Had this auspicious offering and proclamation of peace not been secretly ordered by the emperor, Zhang Zhengchang doubted whether he could have endured these words. Such stinging remarks had not been heard by the Zhang family in eighty years.

“Master…”

One of Zhang Zhengchang’s disciples beside him was indignant.

“Silence. Can a cultivator let such words trouble the heart? Take it as tempering.”

As Zhang Zhengchang rebuked his disciple, another sedan chair passed by. The occupant lifted the curtain—another acquaintance. Zhang Zhengchang recognized him vaguely, for the man had never really regarded him: Liu Ji, styled Bowen. Zhang Zhengchang still remembered the man’s name, and his undisguised pride was etched in memory. Now, Liu Ji was as proud as ever, but at the sight of Zhang Zhengchang, he nodded slightly and let the curtain fall. He became the first Ming courtier to greet Zhang Zhengchang.

The hearts of men are inscrutable.

Zhang Zhengchang bowed his head and waited in the cold wind until court was dismissed and the officials began to leave for their respective duties. At this time, another carriage approached slowly. In front rode a general—an old acquaintance, Xu Da. Xu Da nodded from afar but did not come to greet him.

From the carriage emerged a scholar in his thirties, who assisted an old man down.

“It’s the Duke of the Sage’s Lineage!”

“The Kong family from Qufu! So the Duke of the Sage’s Lineage has arrived!”

In contrast to the Zhang family, who were ignored by the officials, the arrival of the Kong father and son drew a crowd of courtiers. The Duke of the Sage’s Lineage—Zhang Zhengchang had met him before. In the former Yuan dynasty, as Celestial Master Zhang, he had dealings with Kong Kejian; the Zhang and Kong clans were equals under the Yuan. Only after the change of dynasty did Zhang Zhengchang realize that, though both were great families, the weight they carried was not the same.

“Gentlemen, the emperor is waiting inside!” Xu Da, shaking off the officials who came to greet him, reminded the others. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhengchang, who had been waiting outside for hours, was still left standing, while those in the palace hurried to welcome the Kong family inside.

Just then, a eunuch about to enter saw Zhang Zhengchang.

“Celestial Master Zhang, you may come in as well!”

And so, Zhang Zhengchang was led in alongside the others.