Chapter 26: Shusun Tong

Zhang Liang’s mind was in turmoil; he did not know how to express his emotions, for he could not confirm whether the person condemned to the "extermination of ten kin" was himself or perhaps someone else.

"By the way, you may not know which ten categories constitute the so-called 'extermination of ten kin'." Lu Xuan felt it necessary to explain, knowing that Uncle Fang and Uncle Ji would ask out of curiosity. He spoke slowly:

"The so-called extermination of ten kin consists of: four branches of the paternal line, three branches of the maternal line, two branches of the wife’s line, and one branch of students."

"To be more specific:
The four paternal branches: one's own clan, the clans of married paternal aunts, married sisters, and married daughters.
The three maternal branches: the clan of the maternal grandfather, the clan of the maternal grandmother, and the clan of maternal aunts.
The two wife’s branches: the clan of the father-in-law and the clan of the mother-in-law.
The student branch: because this person had many students who were deeply influenced by his thoughts and conduct, the Prince of Yan designated them as the tenth category."

After saying this, Lu Xuan felt a sense of lamentation. The actions of the Yongle Emperor, Zhu Di, were truly too brutal, chilling the heart; it was equivalent to the total eradication of Fang Xiaoru’s entire lineage.

However, according to historical records and the analysis of some historians, there are differing perspectives on this "extermination of ten kin." The "Wild Records" by the late Ming scholar Zhu Zhishan was the first to record the extermination of Fang Xiaoru’s ten kin. Although the preface of the "Wild Records" admits that its contents are mostly hearsay and unverified, it had significant influence, and some folk histories and local gazetteers adopted this account. Even the official "Veritable Records of the Xizong" compiled during the Chongzhen era followed this narrative.

Related records state that after Zhu Di entered Nanjing, he hoped Fang Xiaoru would draft his accession edict. Fang Xiaoru adamantly refused, writing "The Yan thief usurps the throne" on the paper. Enraged, Zhu Di threatened to execute his nine kin; Fang Xiaoru replied that even if he killed ten kin, he would not write it. Ultimately, Zhu Di ordered the execution of ten of Fang Xiaoru’s kin, resulting in the death of 873 relatives, old acquaintances, and students.

Yet, other historical texts cast doubt on this. The Qing dynasty "History of Ming" does not mention Fang Xiaoru being executed for ten kin. If he had truly been exterminated to the tenth degree, his disciples Liao Yong and Liao Ming could not have survived to bury his remains.

The "Annals of Emperor Chengzu" in the "History of Ming" only records that on the dingchou day, Zhu Di executed Qi Tai, Huang Zicheng, and Fang Xiaoru, and wiped out their clans. Fang Xiaoru’s younger brother was implicated, his wife and two sons hanged themselves, and his two daughters drowned themselves in the Qinhuai River. In the thirty-sixth year of the Wanli era, the Nanjing Educational Censor Yang Tingyun determined that the direct line of Fang Xiaoru’s descendant, Fang Dezong, had multiplied to over two hundred people and allowed his descendants to restore the surname Fang. In the second year of the Tianqi era, Fang Xiaoru’s tenth-generation descendant, Fang Zhongyi, even went to the capital to participate in the imperial examinations. If Zhu Di had truly exterminated ten kin, it is unlikely his direct descendants could have survived.

In any case, regardless of whether this happened in history, with his arrival, would the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, even ascend the throne? Obviously, that is impossible. Once he cured Zhu Biao’s illness, Zhu Yuanzhang would never allow the "Jingnan Campaign" to occur, and naturally, none of the subsequent events would follow.

Had Uncle Fang and Uncle Ji not asked, he would not have mentioned it. He simply treated it as sharing a story.

The speaker spoke without intention, but the listeners took it to heart. Liu Bang and Zhang Liang both fell into a deep silence. After a long while, Liu Bang finally spoke: "Let us return to the manor first to handle some matters and see if my men have begun cleaning the courtyard for you. We shall return later."

***

The two walked slowly away from the side hall of the Lin-hua Palace. Once they returned to the main hall, Liu Bang glanced at the visibly anxious Zhang Liang and said with a stern tone:

"Marquis of Liu, are you worried that the person Lu Xuan spoke of is you?"

He looked directly at Zhang Liang. Zhang Liang’s expression shifted constantly until he finally nodded slightly, bowing his head.

Liu Bang sighed: "I will not allow the Fourth Prince, Liu Heng, to touch the throne. The so-called 'Jingnan Campaign' or 'extermination of ten kin' will never happen. You may rest easy."

"Moreover, Lu Xuan’s arrival has allowed me to know what happens in later generations. How could I possibly allow such things to occur? Furthermore, Lu Xuan provided a prescription, and the Crown Prince’s illness is being treated; the subsequent history will inevitably change."

"Besides, the person Lu Xuan spoke of may not necessarily be the Marquis of Liu."

Zhang Liang knew that Liu Bang spoke the truth, yet he felt a profound fear—a fear stemming from the depths of his heart. He even subconsciously felt a sense of incompetence. It was a feeling of helplessness, powerlessness, and despair.

His life was dedicated to the revival of the State of Han, yet in the end, he could not resist the rolling tide of history. He had once wanted to kill the First Emperor, but that too had never come to pass. He had wanted to keep to himself and wait for the right moment, withdrawing from politics, only to be drawn back into the court by Lu Xuan’s arrival. He had wanted to retire to the mountains and find a peaceful end, but the person Lu Xuan described might well be himself, facing the extermination of ten kin!

Every goal he had aspired to in this life seemed to have failed in the end. The world called him, Zhang Liang, the Marquis of Liu, the wisest man in the world, yet he always doubted himself and lacked faith in his own path.

"Sigh..." Zhang Liang sighed.

Liu Bang walked quickly to Zhang Liang and tapped him on the chest. "Haha, why sigh? Since this person was loyal to me in the future, even if that rebellious son Liu Heng were to wreak havoc and seize the throne, and this man chose to protect the Imperial Grandson I appointed despite facing the threat of death and the annihilation of his family, how could I treat such a person poorly?"

"Marquis of Liu, quickly help me think: who is this person? I must reward him!"

Zhang Liang looked at Liu Bang, who was grinning with his thick beard trembling. Infected by his mood, Zhang Liang felt less dejected. He pondered for a moment and said, "Could it be Shusun Tong?"

***

Whether in the Qin Dynasty or the current Han Dynasty, Shusun Tong held an exalted position among Confucian scholars.

For instance, during the Qin Dynasty, there was a dispute between the commandery-county system and the enfeoffment system. It was, in essence, a struggle between Legalism and Confucianism.

The Legalists supported the commandery-county system because only then could laws be better implemented, thereby elevating the status of Legalism. The Confucians supported the enfeoffment system, as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods were the glorious eras of Confucianism. Scholars traveled between states, and even if they lacked military or governing abilities, they enjoyed generous treatment. The enfeoffment system would create many small states, which was more favorable for the survival of Confucianism, and accordingly, the status of Confucian disciples would be higher.

The dispute between these systems, with the hidden conflict between Confucianism and Legalism, led to a confrontation in the court between the Legalist representative Li Si and the Confucian representative Chunyu Yue. At that time, Shusun Tong’s status among Confucian scholars was second only to Chunyu Yue.

Following the fall of the Qin and the Chu-Han Contention, Chunyu Yue had long since vanished. Gradually, Shusun Tong replaced him as the leader of the Han Confucianists. He reformed and innovated Confucian rituals to adapt to the political needs of the Han Dynasty, laying the foundation for the spread and development of Confucian thought in the Han era.

Currently, Shusun Tong served successively in important posts such as Erudite (Boshi), Minister of Ceremonies (Taichang), and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. The Erudite was an advisor to the Emperor, participating in the discussion of major national policies; the Minister of Ceremonies oversaw ancestral temple rituals, holding a very important status; and the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince was responsible for the Crown Prince’s education, having a significant influence on his growth and future political direction.

While Shusun Tong might not have had many great military achievements like the one Lu Xuan mentioned, his ability to make Confucian scholars collectively adapt to and integrate into the Han Dynasty resolved many troubles that arise during the establishment of a new dynasty. As for his influence in the world, it went without saying.

Zhang Liang subconsciously thought that, aside from himself, this person could only be Shusun Tong.

"Summon Shusun Tong."

The guards left the Lin-hua Palace. Before long, Shusun Tong arrived in the main hall, moving with dignified decorum.

Liu Bang looked at Shusun Tong with a smile. "Grand Tutor, I have just learned of something that will happen in the future."

"You, Shusun Tong, will be condemned to the extermination of ten kin."