Chapter 63: Honor Roll

  Emperor Chongzhen was discussing matters in the Wenhua Hall when he saw the memorial of righteous donation, and he remained silent for a long time.

  The officials below are quite puzzled. Who let Wang Cheng'en deliver the memorial, seemingly without going through the Grand Council? What is the content that makes the Emperor speechless for half a day?

  At this moment, the ministers began to speculate. Assistant Minister Li Biao even spoke directly: "Your Majesty, what is the content of the memorial that makes it difficult for Your Majesty? Can I take a look and share your worries?"

  The Chongzhen Emperor raised his head and looked at him, saying: "Very well, let all the ministers also take a look."

  When Wang Chengen came over to receive the memorial, he again heard Emperor Chongzhen say: "Go and invite Master Zhong over."

  Wang Chengen handed over the memorial to Li Biao and then arranged for the inner attendant outside the palace to pass on the bell to enter the imperial court.

  As soon as the memorial reached Li Biao's hands, several people of the same rank rushed over impatiently, while those slightly lower in status pricked up their ears to listen for any news.

  The Chongzhen Emperor said on top, "All of you officials take a look, after finishing looking wait for Duke Zhongxing to come over before speaking again."

  Zhong Jinwei was messing around with Qi until late last night. The servant came in when Zhong Jinwei had just woken up. No need to go to work, why get up so early.

  Currency is more complicated than I thought, thinking and writing, revising and crossing out, until finally finishing the draft with Archie around 1 am.

  Since it was an imperial summons from Emperor Chongzhen, he could not avoid going, so he brought with him two memorials on the currency implementation plan and the importance of monetary economy, and followed the eunuch to see Emperor Chongzhen.

  After arriving at the Wenhua Hall, he found that those ministers were staring at him. Although he felt strange, he didn't care about them and went to pay his respects to Emperor Chongzhen by himself.

  Chongzhen Emperor had someone bring the memorial to Zhong Xian for him to read as well. Fortunately, Wang Cheng'en had added punctuation marks when he wrote the memorial, so although there were still several complex characters that he didn't recognize, he was able to roughly understand the content of the memorial through guesswork and inference.

  When Zhong Jingying had also finished reading the contents of the memorial, Emperor Chongzhen spoke: "Yesterday's idea to call on the people of Beijing to donate for disaster relief was proposed by Master Zhong. Now that Master Zhong has arrived and read the memorial, let all of you officials express your own views."

  The courtiers thought it would be scholars, common people, and rich merchants who would donate, and they also mentally acknowledged this. But the imagined donors did not come forward to donate, instead, it was the low-born people who came out to donate first. Isn't this a slap in the face!

  Assistant Minister Li Biao indignantly retorted, "Not so! Not so! Look at these places of ill repute, daring to beat drums and gongs in the capital, each flying their own flags and making a show. They are stirring up trouble." He then turned to Emperor Chongzhen and said, "Your Majesty, I request that you severely punish these dens of vice."

  However, there were also different views. The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Bi Ziyuan, stepped forward first: "Your Majesty, we are ashamed that we have not fulfilled our duties and caused the court to lose face."

  Normally, when treating these women nicely, they wouldn't stay quietly inside and cause so much trouble. They should be severely punished to make them understand their own status. Cheng Ji thought of this and seconded Li Biao's proposal.

  Assistant Minister Wen Ti-ren could not help but speak out, "Your Majesty, I think these women who are willing to donate should be rewarded. Although they are of a lower social status, they are able to share the country's worries, unlike some people who are skilled in eating, drinking and having fun, but dare not fall behind, yet do not contribute a single penny for the country."

  Li Biao and Cheng Ji heard this, obviously aimed at their conversation just now.

  One of them shouted: "What did you say?" Another one roared: "Shut up."

  Wen Ti Ren didn't wait for Chong Zhen Emperor's response and turned around to look at the two of them, saying: "What, are you feeling guilty?"

  Then he turned around and said to Emperor Chongzhen, "Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty has always had a proverb: 'Seven things when opening the door: firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea.' But now there are seven new things when opening the door."

  Chongzhen Emperor was a bit curious and asked: "What are these seven new things that open doors?"

  "The seven new things that open the door are: harmonious discussion, listening to music, traveling, playing chess, keeping concubines, collecting, and raising flowers, insects, fish, and birds." Wen Tianren replied to Emperor Chongzhen's words, straightened his face and said: "Your Majesty, it is true that some officials like these things, leading the common people to follow suit, resulting in a decline in social morals. This proverb is a clear proof of this!"

  "After a pause, he continued: 'These seven things that open the door are all based on financial power. The imperial court's salary is not high, so they start to embezzle and accept bribes, cover up for corrupt merchants, evade taxes, and as a result, the national treasury is empty.'"

  "It doesn't matter."

  "Yes, I've never heard of these seven things."

  "The common people of the great Ming Dynasty are wealthy and can afford these things, which is a result of Your Majesty's virtuous governance."

  As soon as Wen Ti Ren's words fell, a group of people started talking about their own things, some denying and some flattering, all trying to shift the focus away from what Wen Ti Ren had just said.

  Chongzhen Emperor looked at the noisy scene above, and couldn't help but feel a sense of disgust. He knew that Wen Tiren's words were probably true. Now whenever it came to governance, a group of people would come out to obstruct, and among them, only a few could really do things, while those who dragged their feet were numerous.

  Chongzhen Emperor looked at Zhong Xian and asked, "Master Zhong, what do you think about this donation matter?"

  Those ministers saw that the emperor did not take up the topic of Wen Tianren, so they didn't make a fuss and waited to see what Zhongxingbo had to say.

  Zhong Jinwei, on the other hand, has seen everything with his own eyes. He is familiar with the atmosphere of the late Ming dynasty. It is necessary to guide and lead, but it cannot be that everything is done for the sake of money, and all personal enjoyment is the goal. If this atmosphere continues, it will eventually lead to the downfall of the country. Even if the country does not perish, it will lose the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation.

  Here is the translation:

  "Your Majesty, I think that whether these places are just for show or not, it's not the point. The key is whether they have done something beneficial to the court and the refugees, and whether the purpose of the proclamation has been achieved. These are the criteria by which we should judge things as good or bad."

  Zhong Jinwei saw that Emperor Chongzhen nodded in agreement with his words, and continued: "The imperial court did not specify in the proclamation who can donate and who cannot donate. If donations are made, it is not clear whether they should be made quietly or publicly announced. None of these were specified, so if we decide to punish them for seeking fame, there will also be a sense of unjust punishment. I think this approach is unacceptable."

  No matter from which aspect, there was no severe punishment for those who responded to the imperial court's call and made donations. The Chongzhen Emperor nodded his head and concluded: "I also think that whether they are of good or humble origin, they are all my subjects, and I cannot punish them for their good deeds just because they are of humble origin."

  The Chongzhen Emperor said these words while his eyes scanned the people who had just shouted to punish severely, making those people feel a chill in their hearts.

  Chongzhen Emperor looked around and then back at Zhong Jingwei, saying: "Master Zhong, the court must have a reaction to this matter. What do you think is the best way to handle it?"

  Zhong Jinwei thought for a moment and replied to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, I think we can create an honor roll or post notices or engrave stele to commemorate the relief efforts for the disaster victims in the capital. We should focus on the deed rather than the person, regardless of their social status, as long as they participated in the relief efforts, record it and make it a model for others to learn from, promoting a positive social atmosphere."

  "Master Zhong, what does it mean to be right about a matter but wrong about a person?"

  "It doesn't matter where you come from, it's just about whether or not you've done this thing." Zhong Jinwei explained.

  Wen Tianren expressed his agreement: "I think this method is very appropriate, without spending the court's money and grain, it can promote its goodness and set an example."

  "Your Majesty's subject agrees with this proposal." said Bi Ziyan.

  The high-ranking officials who were previously to be severely punished mainly because they felt that, in comparison, they had lost face. After Wen Tiren stirred things up, the Chongzhen Emperor re-examined the matter and, as it was not a matter of great importance, did not oppose it again and tacitly approved the matter.

  The Chongzhen Emperor said: "So this matter is settled. Since Wen Qing concurrently holds the position of Minister of Rites, let him take charge of arranging this matter."

  "Yes, Your Majesty." Wen Tianxiang bowed his head and accepted the order.

  Chongzhen Emperor thought for a moment and added to Wen Tianren: "For the first lady who advocated donations, Yu'er, she should be ranked first on the honor roll to encourage her."

  Then he turned to Zhong Jinwei and said, "That Yu Haining father and son are the family servants of Master Zhong. Although they were the first to donate, it was before the imperial edict was announced, so it wasn't written down. It's also to avoid suspicion for you, do you agree?"

  Zhong Jinwei is naturally no problem.

  After finishing this matter, it was already lunchtime, so they dispersed to eat.

  Zhong Jinwei handed over the two memorials that had been in his hands just now to Wang Chengen and was also ready to go back for dinner.

  No sooner had he left the palace gate than he was summoned back by Emperor Chongzhen again.

  What's going on? I haven't even had breakfast yet! Zhong Jinwei thought.