Chapter 41 – Forbidden Book

Xie Yi had never been particularly interested in sensual pleasures, and he never imagined that the saying “Fear arises from love” could be so true, as seen by the wise who see through everything inside and out.

It was difficult even for a sage to remain unaffected by things, untroubled by the heart, and undisturbed by others.

His mind was clear and tranquil, yet he still went about having dinner with Xu Chun as usual. He even found time to check on Xu Chun’s progress in his studies, to which Xu Chun smiled, asking when he would have free time to go play at the villa.

Xie Yi simply replied, “I’ve been quite busy recently, so there’s no need to wait specifically for me.”

Xu Chun looked slightly disappointed but said, “Ninth Brother, you shouldn’t overwork yourself. Doctor Zhou said your condition is due to internal injury, overthinking, and too much worry. You should play more.”

Xie Yi gazed into Xu Chun’s bright, star-like eyes and slowly said, “Alright.”

He meticulously reviewed Xu Chun’s homework before getting up and returning to the palace.

Once back in the palace, he sat alone in Suiyu Hall for a long while before commanding Su Huaibei, “Go put that painting away.”

Su Huaibei was taken aback but quickly replied, “Yes.” The Emperor didn’t specify which painting, but he knew exactly which one he meant. He walked over and carefully took down the painting of Dream of the Butterfly, as he was about to place it in its box, Xie Yi suddenly changed his mind. “No need to put it away. Hang it back up as it was.”

Su Huaibei sighed inwardly and hung it back up.

Xie Yi watched it under the lamp for a moment, closed his eyes, and the scene of the youth reading the Biography of Favored Attendants by his sickbed was as vivid as yesterday.

He gently touched the strokes of orchid grass, then let out a long sigh.

In the following days, he did not leave the palace, handling state affairs systematically, causing everyone in the court to look at him with concern. The entire palace became more alert as he even dealt sternly with several nobles who were merely occupying their positions without doing anything.

One day, he visited the Astronomical Bureau with Ouyang Shen and a few close ministers because they had reported changes in the stars, mentioning a guest star entering the constellation of the Big Dipper. Xie Yi didn’t care much about these things, but the Astronomical Bureau was useful for studying calendars, predicting weather, and arranging agricultural activities.

“When a guest star invades, the emperor is in doubt,” the Astronomical Bureau reported it as a significant matter, so he could only follow the close ministers to take a look, as if an issue with the emperor would lead to changes in the stars. From his early years until now, he had experienced life and death countless times; how many guest stars must have invaded the imperial seat?

After listening to some reports from the Astronomical Bureau, he and Ouyang Shen went up to the observatory to stargaze. It was still dawn, and the stars in the sky shone brightly. However, at this moment, amidst the tranquility, the sound of distant drumming could be heard.

The closer they got to the observatory, the clearer the drumming became. Xie Yi looked over the railing and asked, “What’s that noise?”

The director of the Astronomical Bureau hurriedly replied, “This area is near Chunming Lake. The students from the Imperial Academy formed dragon boat teams to participate in the Dragon Boat Festival competition in the Northern Garden. Because they have classes during the day, they practice dragon boating either in the morning or at night.”

Ouyang Shen laughed and said, “I heard that many teams practice here every day, attracting countless men and women to watch.”

Xie Yi leaned against the railing and saw a dragon boat gliding across the lake. Several men on the boat were shirtless, revealing their strong upper bodies and muscular arms holding wooden paddles. They raised and lowered their oars rhythmically, creating a sense of harmony.

Xie Yi was surprised that despite his average eyesight, he could clearly recognize Xu Chun among the group.

As the dragon boat approached, Xie Yi could even see the vibrant, energetic eyes beneath the red forehead band, the broad shoulders, narrow, tight waist, and bulging arm muscles slick with sweat due to exertion.

Xie Yi sighed deeply again and turned to say indifferently, “Since the guest star has invaded the imperial seat, the Northern Garden performance at the palace for this year’s Dragon Boat Festival shall be suspended. Let the Prefect of Jingzhao handle the celebrations among the common people. There’s no need to arrange any festivities in the palace, as this was usually done to honor the Empress Dowager, and she isn’t in the palace this year. We can save some expenses and reduce spending.”

Everyone thought the Emperor considered safety and frugality, which was well-known to be characteristic of this Emperor, so they weren’t surprised. Suspending a festival was entirely consistent with the Emperor’s usual attitude.

When the news spread that the palace wouldn’t host the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations this year and that only the Prefect of Jingzhao would oversee the city’s festivities, the teams from the Imperial Academy naturally stopped practicing. After all, the original intention was to gain the Emperor’s attention. As members of the royal and noble families, who would actually participate in the commoners’ celebrations? That would be competing with the people for benefits.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xian, the Prefect of Jingzhao, received the task of organizing the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations and was extremely busy. He also had to deal with the city wall repairs simultaneously. Although the Emperor had assigned him a capable deputy, Jiang Xian couldn’t help but feel that the Emperor considered him somewhat incompetent. Therefore, he personally handled every matter, hoping that his hard work would catch the Emperor’s attention.

One day, after returning from the city wall construction site, his trusted aide Cai Wenyaoh came to him with an arrest warrant and asked, “Sir, did you personally instruct the constables about this?”

Jiang Xian glanced at the arrest warrant he had signed that morning and said, “Yes, this was brought to me by He Zhiqiu, the top scholar of the current examination, two days ago. He said that this bookshop had forbidden books and asked us to investigate and confiscate them. He even showed me a copy. I checked the list of banned books and confirmed it. So, I ordered an investigation.”

Cai Wenyaoh was surprised. “He Zhiqiu, the top scholar of the current examination?”

Jiang Xian nodded. “Yes, he said he lives nearby and noticed it accidentally. He thought it wasn’t good to have such things in the capital city, so he reminded me. Anyway, it’s not a big deal, so I left it at that.”

Cai Wenyaoh sighed. “Sir, I told you that nine out of ten shops in the capital have influential backers. Why didn’t you inquire about this one? Fortunately, I intervened today; otherwise, you would have gotten into trouble!”

Jiang Xian was puzzled. “Whose shop is this? I remember checking them all. Most of the officials’ and nobles’ shops are in the eastern part of the city. I asked about this one, and they said it was run by a merchant from Minzhou. It’s not conspicuous.”

Cai Wenyaoh stomped his foot. “Have you forgotten the loss of ten thousand taels of silver a few days ago?”

Jiang Xian was startled. “What do you mean? Could it be the Duke of Jing’s residence again?”

Cai Wenyaoh replied, “The Duchess of the Duke of Jing’s residence is originally from Minzhou and a sea merchant! Back then, you lost those ten thousand taels of silver before they even warmed up. How did it end up in the Ministry of Works? And how did it turn into the duchess’s title? There’s someone skilled behind this! This shop may seem inconspicuous, but it’s next to a lake! It doesn’t make money, yet it’s been open for so long. There must be something going on! The Emperor just commended the Duke of Jing’s residence for their loyalty and filial piety!”

Jiang Xian asked, “Is it really an industry of the Duke of Jing’s residence? In that case… Should we do them a favor and notify them to conduct a self-inspection? Then we can secretly inform Lord He that we couldn’t find the book and smooth things over?”

Cai Wenyaoh shook his head. “Sir, you’re wrong again. He Zhiqiu is the top scholar personally chosen by the Emperor. There must be something fishy about him suddenly getting involved in such a small matter regarding forbidden books. What if you can’t smooth things over? A case like forbidden books can be serious or trivial! Sir!”

Jiang Xian wiped his sweat. “Neither way works. What should we do then?”

Cai Wenyaoh said, “Ignore everyone. Sir, change your clothes and personally take this book to the palace to report to the Emperor. No matter who’s behind it, whatever happens afterward won’t involve you!”

=====

At Wenyixin Hall.

He Zhiqiu was led into the hall by Su Huaibei and performed the grand ceremony of audience before the throne. He saw Xie Yi dressed in a purple robe with coiled dragons, putting a green teacup back on the table. His expression was unreadable. “Rise.”

He Zhiqiu stood up and saw Su Huaibei carrying a tray toward him. He looked down at the book on the tray and froze. Xie Yi asked, “Do you recognize this book?”

He Zhiqiu was nervous and cautiously replied with clasped hands, “Your Majesty, this is the Collection of Poems from the Sea of Tranquility, a forbidden book.”

Xie Yi nodded. “The Prefect of Jingzhao, Jiang Xian, submitted a memorial stating that a bookshop in the capital was privately selling forbidden books. In the capital city, this is no small matter, so he reported it to me. He mentioned that you reported it, so I summoned you to ask about the situation.”

He Zhiqiu broke out in a cold sweat and bowed to report, “Yes… I saw the book in the bookshop while browsing. I remembered it was a forbidden book, so I casually mentioned it to Lord Jiang.”

Xie Yi said indifferently, “Oh, the top scholar is indeed well-versed and knowledgeable. I didn’t know this collection of poems was a forbidden book. I read it out of curiosity today. The poems inside seemed ordinary, and the talent was mediocre. There didn’t seem to be any rebellious or heretical content, so it didn’t belong on the list of books to be destroyed.”

He Zhiqiu whispered, “Reporting to Your Majesty, although there are no taboo areas in the content of the Collection of Poems from the Sea of Tranquility, its author is Luo Haiyan. During the reign of the founding emperor, Luo Haiyan wrote the Book of the Nation, recklessly discussing state affairs, slandering the sovereign, defying the emperor, and deceiving the people. He was sentenced by the court to the crime of great treason, and the books and writings he wrote were also listed as forbidden books.”

Xie Yi nodded. “Ah, Luo Haiyan. I vaguely remember hearing about this. At that time, I was curious and inquired about what was written in the Book of the Nation. It seemed to be criticizing the court for openly selling official positions, right? During the reign of the founding emperor, because they had to fight the Tartars, the imperial treasury was empty, so they had no choice but to sell some titles.”

He Zhiqiu said softly, “Yes.”

Xie Yi nodded. “I’ve heard that Lord He is well-informed and knowledgeable. I didn’t expect you to know such obscure knowledge. I heard from Jiang Xian that the bookshop is located in a remote alley on North Street, and this book is rare. It’s placed in a very inconspicuous spot. Did you notice this bookshop daring to sell forbidden books because you also live there?”

He Zhiqiu broke out in a cold sweat again. “Yes.”

Xie Yi seemed interested. “I wonder if the bookshop is so bold and reckless as to sell other forbidden books. They should be investigated thoroughly. What’s the name of the bookshop? Do you often visit bookshops to buy books?”

He Zhiqiu swallowed and said softly, “It’s called the Leisurely Cloud Shop. Because the owner often hires scholars to copy books for sale, my family was poor, and I once copied books for him, so I saw this book.”

Xie Yi snorted coldly. “Selling forbidden books and buying people’s hearts by copying books, their intentions are sinister. There might be a suspicion of forming a faction and plotting rebellion.”

He Zhiqiu trembled, feeling the oppressive, cold voice of the emperor. He could hardly breathe. Xie Yi continued, “What punishment do you think is appropriate for such a bold and reckless traitorous store?”

He Zhiqiu felt as if he was breathing fire. After a long moment, he struggled to say, “Those who privately collect, study, and sell forbidden books shall receive one hundred strokes and two years of penal servitude. Considering their ignorance, their shop can be sealed, and they can pay a fine instead of receiving the strokes…”

Xie Yi slowly shook his head. “No, Luo Haiyan was personally sentenced to the crime of great treason by the founding emperor. His relatives, students, and those who printed and stored his books were punished at that time. This store owner publicly sells books of a rebel, right in the capital city. He also wins people’s hearts, plotting rebellion. Their actions are greatly treacherous and despicable. Merely punishing them with beatings and exile to the border cannot serve justice. They should be charged with the crime of high treason to set an example and properly rectify the situation. Only then can a warning be sent to the world.”

He Zhiqiu’s face turned pale, and his back was drenched in sweat. He prostrated himself and kowtowed. “I believe that the owner probably only failed to notice for a moment. Charging him with high treason might be too severe. Moreover, using words to punish people would invite remonstration from the Censorate, which would harm the reputation and virtue of the Emperor…”

Xie Yi sneered. “Failed to notice for a moment? If you think it was just a momentary oversight, why didn’t you remind the owner to withdraw the book at the time, but instead reported it to the Prefect of Jingzhao? Clearly, you also believe that this matter reveals deeper issues and deserves thorough investigation. Nowadays, there’s a trend among literati to write poems criticizing current events and government policies, deeming it a lack of integrity if they don’t. This is truly a pernicious and perverse trend!”

“I think this is precisely the opportunity to rectify the situation. All the bookshops that print, copy, sell, and store books should be thoroughly investigated. Any that still possess and sell forbidden books or write poems that indirectly criticize the court and the emperor should be severely punished. As the first to report this, you should be responsible for handling the matter. First, arrest the entire family of the store owner and interrogate them harshly. Investigate the shop thoroughly. I suspect there’s not just this one book. Such audacity suggests there might be more if we investigate further… Also, their relatives, friends, and scholars frequenting the store should be thoroughly investigated. They must be rebels!”

He looked down at He Zhiqiu meaningfully. “If you handle this matter well, I will reward you generously and entrust you with important tasks.”

He Zhiqiu’s face was as white as paper. Suddenly, he kowtowed and said, “I’m frightened, incapable… I fear I’m not up to the task…” He almost choked, then started banging his head heavily.

Xie Yi remained silent, staring coldly at He Zhiqiu. He Zhiqiu kept kowtowing, and soon his forehead bled. The study room was as quiet as a tomb. Although eunuchs stood in the corners, no sounds could be heard except for the thumping of his head.

After a while, Xie Yi said indifferently, “Are you afraid? Afraid of offending the scholars?”

He Zhiqiu stopped kowtowing and lay prostrate, his body trembling slightly. “If it benefits the country and the people, I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty, even risking my life.”

Xie Yi sneered. “You mean that I’m misguiding the country and the people, acting unjustly?”

He Zhiqiu’s arm trembled slightly as he lifted his head, his face covered in blood. “I dare not. I just have a troubled conscience.”

Xie Yi said slowly, “Conscience?” There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Xu Chun’s bold handwriting was still on his desk, where he had said “fame and profit trigger conscience.” This child possessed a chivalrous heart, but he didn’t realize that the arena of fame and profit was where conscience was extinguished.

He Zhiqiu closed his eyes and said, “Your Majesty, I have sinned. The owner of the bookshop offended me, and I sought revenge out of personal grievances, reporting it to the Prefect of Jingzhao in private. I intended for a minor punishment to serve as a warning, sealing the shop and giving him a lesson. Now, I see that because of my selfishness, the owner of the bookshop will be implicated in the crime of treason and extermination of the clan, tarnishing the virtue of the sovereign. My conscience cannot bear it. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me for seeking revenge out of personal grievances and deceiving the emperor. I deserve death.”

He slammed his head heavily on the golden bricks, tears streaming down his face.

Xie Yi asked after a moment, “How did the owner offend you?”

He Zhiqiu’s head buzzed as he answered in a dull voice, “Just… a verbal dispute…”

Xie Yi chuckled lightly and said warmly, “If Lord He only cares about conscience, you don’t have to punish that shop. This matter is still entrusted to you. Within a month, regardless of the reason, just resolve it. I’ll pardon your sins and promote you. I see that you have a few enemies in your daily life. You might start with them, examining their poetry and writings…”

He Zhiqiu was horrified. Closing his eyes, a clear tear fell. “Your Majesty, in ancient times, monarchs collected poems to observe public sentiment. To govern a country, one must first ensure freedom of speech. Your Majesty is a sage unmatched throughout history. I humbly implore Your Majesty, with your benevolence and magnanimity, not to punish the remonstrants. Your Majesty, who holds the sacred position, should have the grace to tolerate others. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider and not initiate a persecution of intellectuals based on their writings. Once this precedent is set, among the literati, there will be a search for passages to attack each other, bearing grudges and making false accusations, leading to factional disputes that will poison the land for generations. The country will cease to be a country, tainting the name of the sage ruler.”

Xie Yi repeated slowly, “Bearing grudges and making false accusations…”

He Zhiqiu shed tears. “It was I who created trouble out of petty grievances, losing my virtue first. I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”

Xie Yi said, “If I insist on pursuing this persecution of intellectuals based on their writings, what will you do?”

He Zhiqiu lifted his head, his face filled with sorrow. “I beg to die in remonstration, unwilling to let Your Majesty lose your virtue.” He closed his eyes, his face ashen, knowing that after twenty years of diligent study, he had arrived at this point due to a fleeting lapse in judgment. He regretted that, driven by personal motives, he had misused public power, leading to utter ruin. His promising future had been ruined by his own actions. But now, the emperor was determined to use this opportunity to rectify the literati. Once this began, it would be a great calamity, like the infamous “Poetry Case of the Black Terrace” that had caused lasting damage. Regardless of his own private desires, he dared not consider them anymore.

Xie Yi sneered, and several books fell from the high imperial desk, landing straight in front of He Zhiqiu’s knees. He Zhiqiu looked down at the cover and immediately turned pale. It was the script he had written in distress. He heard the cold voice above him say, “A person who repays kindness with ingratitude doesn’t deserve to talk about dying in remonstration. When you were in distress, the owner of the bookshop gave you silver to relieve your difficulties. These books of yours were never engraved or sold by the shop; they were only kept. The pretense of collecting books was to save you some face. In reality, it was a gesture of helping someone in need, making him a righteous man among merchants.”

“On the contrary, you, who studied the classics of the sages, should not accept even a single coin lightly or forget even a single meal. After becoming the top scholar and obtaining an official position, you didn’t think of repaying kindness but instead regarded it as a disgrace. You repaid kindness with enmity, harboring malicious intentions, all for the sake of covering up your immoral actions. Remember, if you don’t want others to know, you must not do it yourself. Deceiving your conscience in secret, how could you know that the eyes of heaven are as swift as lightning? It’s tragic and laughable that the court has recorded a person like you, devoid of integrity and a beast in human clothing. I wonder how many others like you, lacking virtue, are in My court, committing acts worse than beasts.”

“As for your father, a gambling addict, he injured his leg in a drunken stupor and could only stay home to recuperate, unable to gamble. Looking at your hidden resentment and ruthlessness, there seems to be a great mystery.”

Every word from Xie Yi cut deep into He Zhiqiu’s heart. He was shocked to realize that the Emperor had keenly observed everything and seen through his attempt to cover up the fact that he had written indecent books during his difficult times. The Emperor had seen through his ugly and selfish nature…

And those notions about persecuting intellectuals based on their writings were just a test of his character, coupled with guidance and enlightenment. For his own selfish desires, he had sought revenge, initiating a precedent for punishing people based on their writings. What consequences would arise from this? If a tyrant or a powerful minister took advantage of the situation, it would bring disaster to the literati and poison the land for generations. Today, the country was prosperous and peaceful. How could he become a sinner for all eternity?

He trembled and deeply bowed his head, his face dispirited, not daring to argue another word. He closed his eyes, waiting for death.

Xie Yi said coldly, “Considering you still have a shred of integrity and a sense of right and wrong, loyalty, and righteousness, though you have a wolf’s heart and a dog’s lungs, you can still barely be used like a dog. Deduct your salary for a year, demote you three ranks, and let you serve as a ninth-rank magistrate in the Ministry of Justice. Review cases for a few years. When you encounter innocent civilians suffering injustice, remember this little bit of conscience today. Think about what you said at the feast for the top scholars. Why did you initially study? Is there such a thing as personal vendettas in the Peach Blossom Spring?”

He Zhiqiu’s tears streamed down his face, and he choked out, “I am ashamed and regretful beyond words…”

Xie Yi said coldly, “Today’s crimes are temporarily put aside. If you misjudge a case in the future, you will be judged and punished together, and your crimes will be made known to the world.”

He Zhiqiu pressed his forehead deeply to the ground. “I obey the imperial decree and accept the punishment…” The Emperor’s kindness was so profound. Apparently, because he had finally felt a twinge of conscience at the last moment and pulled back from the brink, still advising the Emperor, the Emperor had shown mercy. If he had shamelessly accepted the task of persecuting intellectuals based on their writings, he would surely have faced the death penalty now.

Xie Yi impatiently said, “Remove your hat and robe. Twenty strokes at the palace gate, thirty slaps, and then drag him out! Don’t dirty My palace!”

Soon, guards came in and dragged the limp He Zhiqiu out. Xie Yi was still angry and threw the teacup lid to the side. Su Huaibei stepped forward to catch it and said, “Your Majesty, calm your anger. Since he is so hateful, why not kill him? It would also vent the anger for Prince Chun.”

Xie Yi glanced at him. “He has the talent to be the top scholar, so he must have some ability. He still has a sense of propriety and integrity, not wanting to cause someone’s death. He probably only wanted to seal the bookshop so that his shameful deeds could be buried. It seems he didn’t know that Xu Chun is the Prince of the Duke of Jing’s residence. He only thought he was an ordinary merchant, or he wouldn’t have dared to act so rashly.”

“Now that he feels guilty, he will naturally be cautious in his actions. The Minister of Justice said the other day that they lacked manpower. I assume he won’t dare to be negligent. Otherwise, he would have been idling for these days, cheapening himself. Besides, in the future…”

His anger subsided, but he stopped halfway through his sentence, only to spin the teacup in his hand and ponder. Su Huaibei laughed and continued, “Besides, when Young Master Gong enters the court and serves, how could he manage without someone to assist him? It’s better to keep him around like a dog to be used. Since Young Master Gong has a great debt to him, and he feels guilty, he can be a support for Young Master Gong in the future.”

Xie Yi glanced at him but didn’t rebuke him for presuming to fathom the Emperor’s thoughts. Su Huaibei hurriedly flattered him. “Your Majesty truly treats Young Master Gong well. Not only have you avenged him, but you’ve also planned for the long term. If Young Master Gong knew of Your Majesty’s painstaking efforts, he wouldn’t know how to express his gratitude and determination.”

Xie Yi sneered. “Determination and gratitude? I see that he has a stubborn heart and hasn’t settled down for a single day. It’s far from the time to rely on him to alleviate My worries.”

Su Huaibei grinned. “Your Majesty, please be patient and teach him more. There’s nothing he can’t accomplish. When he enters the court, he will surely be a pillar of support, loyal and devoted. With someone helping Your Majesty, you can rest a bit.”

Xie Yi said indifferently, “I don’t have the patience. In any case, I don’t lack people to serve Me.”

Su Huaibei’s face almost bloomed with a smile. “It’s fortunate that Young Master Gong has no ulterior motives and is kind-hearted. I’m afraid he’ll be corrupted when he enters the court.”

Xie Yi commented, “What kindness and integrity? He’s just a simple-minded, soft-hearted fool, unaware that great kindness can be mistaken for enmity. I haven’t watched him for just a few days, and he nearly landed in prison. Even if he knows he’s from a duke’s household, he’d still lose face and ruin his reputation.”

Su Huaibei laughed. “Young Master Gong is only eighteen. How could he think of someone like that? Is Your Majesty going out tonight?”

Xie Yi straightened his sleeves and said proudly, “I’ll go out and take a look.”