The Ming Dynasty: Starting with Emperor Chongzhen's crackdown on factionalism

"This is the principle of 'those who speak out must bear the responsibility.' This system existed in prosperous times in ancient times."

"Shun ordered Yu to control the floods. Yu said: 'When I was starting this project, I married a woman from Tushan. On the days of Xin, Ren, Gui, and Jia, Qi cried as a baby. I did not raise him, but instead neglected the construction work.' This was the beginning of a pledge, and failure to fulfill it would be a crime."

"Emperor Wu of Han employed Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, both of whom clearly defined rewards and punishments: those who won were ennobled, and those who lost were executed. Therefore, the soldiers fought bravely and drove the Xiongnu northward."

"In contrast, in this dynasty, those who speak out mostly engage in empty talk, and those who make recommendations bear no responsibility."

"Imperial censors often impeach officials based on hearsay rather than out of a sense of public duty."

"Ministers recommend talented individuals mostly out of personal relationships rather than based on actual achievements."

"In this way, everyone can speak out without taking responsibility, and everyone can make recommendations without bearing any burden."

"As a result, the factional strife intensified, and the nation's affairs declined further."

Zhu Youjian's hand trembled slightly.

This Chen Zhiyuan, a mere compiler in the Hanlin Academy, dares to so directly point out the ills of the times!

What's even more remarkable is that he didn't just spout empty rhetoric, but instead drew upon classical texts and analyzed the issues layer by layer.

In the latter part of his memorial, Chen Zhiyuan elaborated on the specific plan for "consistency between words and responsibilities".

"In my humble opinion, a 'responsibility system for speech' should be established: anyone who impeaches a minister must clearly state the facts, and if the facts are verified, they should be rewarded according to the law."

"If someone makes a false accusation, they will be punished instead. Anyone who recommends a person must provide a guarantee. If the person recommended is competent and meritorious, the recommender will have this recorded as part of their achievements."

"If the person recommended is derelict in his or her duty or commits a mistake, the recommender will be punished along with her."

"This is especially true for matters of great importance to the nation and the military. If it is said that a certain general is capable of undertaking a great responsibility, then he should be made to vouch for him."

"If this general wins, he and his men will share the rewards; if he loses, they will both be subject to military law."

"If a certain strategy is deemed feasible, then let the person in charge implement it: if it succeeds, they will be the primary contributor; if it fails, they will be the primary culprit."

"In this way, there will be no more empty talk in the court; and the recommendations will surely produce truly talented individuals."

Suddenly, the scene of Yuan Chonghuan presenting his memorial to the emperor flashed into Zhu Youjian's mind.

At that time, Yuan Chonghuan was full of enthusiasm and made a military pledge to pacify Liaodong within five years.

He believed him and gave Yuan Chonghuan all the power he needed.

But the result?

A year later, the Later Jin army besieged the city.

Two years later, Yuan Chonghuan was imprisoned and awaited execution.

If the "responsibility for speech" system mentioned by Chen Zhiyuan had existed at the time, would Yuan Chonghuan have dared to make such a promise so easily?

Would those ministers who recommended Yuan Chonghuan dare to support him without reservation?

Did those officials who impeached Yuan Chonghuan dare to attack him without any evidence?

At the end of his memorial, Chen Zhiyuan wrote:

"Your Majesty is exceptionally wise and intelligent, working tirelessly day and night, with the ambition to revitalize the nation."

"However, the restoration of the dynasty cannot be accomplished by one person alone; it requires the concerted efforts of the court and the people. To achieve this, factionalism must be eliminated. To eliminate factionalism, responsibilities and powers must be clearly defined."

"If those who speak are responsible for their words, those who act are accountable for their actions, and those who recommend are guaranteed their recommendations, then the way of the virtuous will flourish, and the way of the petty will decline. The loyal and good will advance, and the wicked and treacherous will retreat."

"Emperor Shenzong of Song made a mistake by focusing on the urgency of reform while neglecting the foundation of the system."

"However, even with Wang Anshi's talent, the abuses of his faction could not be controlled."

"If Your Majesty wishes to revitalize the nation and restore order, you must first establish systems and clearly define rewards and punishments, so that your ministers know what to do and what to avoid. Only then can great things be accomplished and a revival be expected."

"Your humble servant, being of lowly birth and ignorant of taboos, dares to submit this memorial at the risk of his life. I humbly beg Your Majesty's wise judgment."

Inside the Qianqing Palace, all was silent.

Zhu Youjian put down the memorial and remained motionless for a long time.

The charcoal fire crackled in the copper stove, the wind outside the window gradually subsided, and the first light of dawn appeared in the east.

He sat there like that all night.

This memorial, though only a little over three thousand words long, was like a clear mirror, reflecting the various predicaments he had faced in the three years since his ascension to the throne, as well as the deep-seated and intractable problems of the Ming Dynasty court.

He recalled his ambitions at the beginning of his reign, the swift and decisive action in eliminating Wei Zhongxian, his high expectations for Yuan Chonghuan, and the anger and helplessness he felt after each disappointment.

The court officials claimed to be loyal to the emperor and patriotic, but in reality, they each had their own agendas.

The memorials were full of concern for the country and its people, but most of them were empty and meaningless.

He reviewed memorials until late at night every day, but felt himself sinking deeper and deeper into the mire.

He severely punished corruption and worked diligently, yet he felt that the fate of the Ming Dynasty was still declining.

But Chen Zhiyuan, an unknown junior editor, pointed out the crux of the problem with a memorial to the throne.

The problem isn't a lack of loyal officials, but a lack of sound systems.

It's not that there's a lack of good strategies, but rather a lack of effective implementation.

It's not that we lack talent, but rather that we lack discerning judgment.

Zhu Youjian slowly got up and walked to the window.

As dawn broke, a thin layer of frost covered the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City.

The sound of a morning bell drifted from afar, heavy and lingering.

He turned back to his desk, his gaze falling once again on the document submitted by the Ministry of Justice regarding Yuan Chonghuan's final verdict.

With the vermilion brush in hand, he hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not write.

"deliver an imperial order,"

Zhu Youjian's voice rang out in the silent hall, carrying a hint of weariness, but also a hint of determination.

"Tomorrow at 9:00 AM, the platform will summon an audience. Chen Zhiyuan, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, is to be presented."

He paused, then added.

"Send copies of this memorial to all cabinet ministers, instructing them to review them carefully and respond to it tomorrow."

The eunuch received the order and withdrew.

Zhu Youjian sat down again and began to read Chen Zhiyuan's memorial again, word by word.

Who exactly is this Chen Zhiyuan?

How could a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, a minor official of the seventh rank, possess such insight?

His memorial to the throne did not quote difficult scriptures or pile up ornate language; it simply stated the reasons in plain language, yet every sentence hit the nail on the head.

What concerned Zhu Youjian even more was that the "responsibility system for speech" proposed in this memorial, though seemingly simple, was actually deeply in line with the principles of governing the country.

If this policy can be implemented, it might truly change the atmosphere in the court and eliminate factional strife.

Of course, he also understood that this would inevitably affect the interests of too many people.

Those officials who are accustomed to empty talk, those ministers who are happy to recommend their fellow townsmen, and those mediocre people who hide under the protection of their cronies will all fight desperately against it.

But he was the emperor, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Since ascending the throne, has he ever feared any resistance?

Even though Wei Zhongxian was powerful, he still eliminated him.

Despite Yuan Chonghuan's immense power, he was still imprisoned.

Now that an opportunity that could change the course of the political situation is before him, how can he back down because of fear of resistance?

The sunlight outside the window is getting brighter and brighter.

Zhu Youjian put down the memorial and rubbed his sore eyes.

He hadn't slept all night, yet he felt clearer than ever before.

For the first time in three years, he saw a path that might lead him out of his predicament with such clarity.

This path may be difficult and fraught with danger, but at least it will no longer be a blind groping in the dark.

"Chen Zhiyuan..."

Zhu Youjian murmured the name, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

Hopefully, this person truly possesses the talent to govern the world, as his memorial suggests, and is not just another boastful person.

March 14th, 3:45 AM.

Inside the Hanlin Academy's main room, Chen Zhiyuan sat on a cold wooden chair, watching the flickering flame in the oil lamp.

It was still pitch black outside the window, with only the faint sound of a watchman's drum coming from afar.

He hasn't slept well for three days.

Three days ago, he was organizing historical materials from the Ming and Qing dynasties in the library of the Party School when everything went black. When he opened his eyes again, he was lying on the bed of the original owner of this body.

Chen Zhiyuan, courtesy name Yichen, was a compiler at the Hanlin Academy. He was born in the 38th year of the Wanli reign (1629) and became a second-class Jinshi in the first year of the Chongzhen reign (1630). His ancestral home was Changzhou Prefecture, Southern Zhili.

A nobody who left no trace in history books.

The original owner's memories were fragmented, mostly consisting of the Four Books and Five Classics, essays on official documents, and the austere and monotonous life at the Hanlin Academy.

The clearest thing is that on March 10th, the original owner caught a cold while sorting through old files at Wenyuan Pavilion, and fell seriously ill after returning to his residence.

Then he arrived.

For the past three days, Chen Zhiyuan has forced himself to process all the information.