Chapter Seventeen: Li Shimian
Chapter Seventeen: Li Shimian
Who was the Duke of Hu Yin? He was Xue Lu, the Marquis of Yangwu, originally named Xue Liu. From the very start of the Jingnan campaign, he had often served as the vanguard, later joining the Taizong Emperor in his northern expeditions across the grasslands, commanding as a general in his own right.
He was a true powerhouse in the army.
However, he passed away in the fifth year of the Xuande reign.
Had Xue Lu still been alive, not even Zhang Fu would have dared to bypass him.
Though Xue Lu was gone, his influence within the military endured. The intent of the Sun family was obvious—they sought to win over the Xue clan, seeking external support for Zhu Qizhen.
Zhu Qizhen was moved; he understood that marrying Changde into the Xue family was a good alliance. Although he did not know much about the character of the Xue family’s second son, he doubted he could be much amiss.
On one side stood the mighty Xue family, the new generation of the Marquis of Yangwu, and his younger brother; on the other, the son of a mere vice-commander of a thousand. The difference between the two was immense.
Even though Lady Hu was no longer Empress, when she gave birth to Shunde, she was still the Crown Princess. In fact, both Shunde and Changde were legitimate daughters of the Xuanzong Emperor.
“I understand your intentions,” the Grand Empress Dowager said. “Lady Hu is a pitiable woman. In the future, for my sake, look after her when you can.”
“I will, Grandmother,” Zhu Qizhen replied.
These were family matters, but the Grand Empress Dowager soon turned to the true reason for their conversation. “Do you know why I summoned you?”
“I believe it is about the lectures at court,” Zhu Qizhen replied.
“Yes,” the Grand Empress Dowager said approvingly. “Do you have any thoughts on this?”
“I am aware that my own learning is shallow and insufficient for great responsibility. Holding court lectures is for my own good.”
The Grand Empress Dowager nodded, “It is best that you understand. However, I have already rejected the idea of court lectures.”
“Is there something wrong?” Zhu Qizhen asked.
“It has not yet been a hundred days since your father’s passing. I do not wish to make elaborate arrangements.”
Zhu Qizhen immediately said, “It was unfilial of me not to consider this.”
Court lectures involved a whole sequence of events, including banquets for the ministers and generous rewards. With the hundred days of mourning still ongoing, such festivities would be improper.
“You are still young, so it is natural you overlook such things,” the Grand Empress Dowager said. “The lectures may be postponed, but daily lessons must continue. Until now, Wang Zhen and Zhang Ying have been your instructors. Wang Zhen is but a licentiate; Zhang Ying has some talent, but he is not suitable as your master. I have chosen someone for you—Li Shimian. Do you know of him?”
During this period, Zhu Qizhen had kept himself busy, but his focus was entirely on gaining control of the military. He had carefully studied the powerful nobles, commanders across the regions, and the generals of the nine border garrisons. He paid little attention to the civil officials, having already witnessed the methods of the Three Yangs and knowing there was no chance of replacing them for now.
So long as he held the military power, entrusting state affairs to the Three Yangs might not be a bad thing.
“Li Shimian is the head of the Imperial Academy,” the Grand Empress Dowager continued. “He is a man of utmost integrity and a renowned scholar, with many accomplished disciples. He is just the one to teach you.”
“Anyone chosen by Grandmother must be excellent,” Zhu Qizhen replied.
“However, let me warn you in advance—Master Li is exceptionally strict. I have given him a ruler for discipline. If you make mistakes, he will not hesitate to strike you.”
Zhu Qizhen was unfazed. “I will listen to Master Li, study diligently, and strive for progress. Yet, there is one thing I wish to change.”
“Oh?” the Grand Empress Dowager asked. “What is it?”
“Since I am to be emperor, reading is of course essential, but above all I need to understand the art of governance. The books the ministers read all teach how to be good subjects, but say little about how to rule as a sovereign. I think, Grandmother, since you have witnessed the reigns of Taizong, Renzong, and my father, you must understand the way of rule better than the ministers.”
“I wish to attend daily lessons each morning, and in the afternoons come to you, Grandmother, to discuss major affairs of court, so that you may explain their inner workings. In this way, I can grasp the true meaning behind state matters, and one day be worthy of our ancestors’ legacy.”
The Grand Empress Dowager was quietly moved, and thought to herself, “This is the right path.”
Others might not know, but she did. She had personally witnessed the reigns of Taizong, Renzong, and Xuanzong. Of them, she felt the most formidable was Taizong. She had also seen firsthand how Taizong dealt with scholars.
At the time, she did not fully understand the reasons behind his actions, but in the years since, after long experience in the palace, she had come to see through much. She now knew what often lay behind a dignified exterior.
The Four Books and Five Classics must be studied, of course. But to believe that a single Analects could suffice to govern the world was sheer folly.
She gazed at Zhu Qizhen and thought, “Why did I never consider this before?” She realized that such experience should indeed be passed down to her descendants.
“If that is your wish, I will naturally agree,” she said. “But it will mean twice the hardship for you.”
“No matter how bitter, could it compare to the hardships endured by Taizu and Taizong in founding the dynasty?” Zhu Qizhen replied. “I do not fear hard work.”
After leaving the Hall of Compassion and Tranquility, Zhu Qizhen said as he walked, “Find out what sort of person this Shi Jing is, and also the second son of the Xue family—what are their characters and martial skills?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Wang Zhen replied, following half a step behind.
“And also investigate Li Shimian,” Zhu Qizhen continued.
“I already know about him,” Wang Zhen said, and proceeded to recite Li Shimian’s history.
Li Shimian was a successful candidate in the imperial examinations in the second year of Yongle’s reign.
His life could be summed up in three words: a man of iron will. Unyielding to the core.
He entered government service under Yongle, and managed to offend three emperors: Yongle, Hongxi, and Xuande.
During Yongle’s reign, when the Taizong Emperor moved the capital, Li Shimian objected. He was punished by the emperor and imprisoned, nearly dying. Yet the emperor, holding back his anger, read Li Shimian's memorials and found that, though his words were often blunt, his talent was undeniable. Thus, his life was spared.
He was released only after more than a year.
That was not all—the Yongle Emperor was not known for his temperance. In order to weaken the position of the Crown Prince (the future Renzong Emperor), he threw many into prison; Li Shimian was just one among many.
But the Renzong Emperor was mild-tempered. At least in his treatment of scholars, he was exemplary, hence his posthumous title of “Benevolent.”
Yet Li Shimian still contradicted the Renzong Emperor, angering him deeply.
To what extent? The emperor, in a fit of rage, seized a golden mace from a nearby guard and struck Li Shimian, breaking three of his ribs. Li Shimian nearly died; only with secret help from Yang Shiqi, who provided him with medicine, did he survive.
Li Shimian survived, but the Renzong Emperor did not. On his deathbed, the emperor said to Xia Yuanji, “Li Shimian has humiliated me.”
When the Xuanzong Emperor travelled from Nanjing to ascend the throne in Beijing, his first act upon arrival was to summon Li Shimian. At first, he ordered Li Shimian brought before him in chains, but, still angry, he changed his mind and sent orders to have Li Shimian executed at the Meridian Gate.
However, the messenger missed Li Shimian, who had already arrived.
Xuanzong questioned him, bow in hand, demanding to know the contents of his memorials.
Li Shimian calmly recounted everything, including his opposition to sending the crown prince far away. Though his tone was harsh, Xuanzong found no fault in his words.
His attendants privately advised the emperor, pointing out that if he killed Li Shimian, it would confirm the rumor that Renzong had died of anger, damaging the late emperor’s reputation.
Thus, Xuanzong spared Li Shimian.
Twice imprisoned, twice surviving near-certain death, Li Shimian’s character remained unchanged.
When the Xuanzong Emperor presided over court lectures, he would reward the ministers with gold coins—gold cast in the shape of copper coins. When these coins fell to the floor, every minister stooped to pick them up except Li Shimian, who believed it was not the proper way to treat ministers.
Hearing this, Xuanzong repeated the reward, giving Li Shimian an especially generous share.
But Li Shimian’s unyielding nature inspired awe and fear. He was soon dispatched to the Imperial Academy.
Learning all this, Zhu Qizhen felt a chill in his heart.
Earlier, when the Grand Empress Dowager mentioned giving Li Shimian a disciplinary ruler, he had not worried—all things considered, who would ever dare strike the emperor? He had assumed that Li Shimian would not dare either.
Now, however, his palms felt cold and clammy. Secretly, he thought, “Could Li Shimian truly dare to strike me?”