Chapter 6 of 10

Chapter 6

15 min read3,845 words

In traditional Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, it has always been believed that knowledge precedes action. Zhu Xi once said, "If the principles of righteousness are not clear, how can one practice them?"

Wang Kefan, however, took a path opposite to Zhu Xi. His words, put simply, meant that scholars should give equal weight to knowledge and action, pursuing the great principles of the world on one hand, and emphasizing practical application and personal conduct on the other.

This viewpoint was closer to Wang Yangming's unity of knowledge and action, and also resembled Wang Tingxiang's practical learning, which were popular academic concepts at the end of the Ming Dynasty. Xu Bingzhong was momentarily at a loss for how to refute it.

Indeed, there was no way to refute it. The relationship between knowledge and action is very complex, and countless sages and virtuous men have devoted their lives to it. A brief discussion would be a massive undertaking, and it certainly couldn't be explained in a few words. Wang Kefan had already placed himself in an invincible position with this response.

No matter what, Wang Kefan was not the type to stubbornly adhere to the eight-part essay. It was quite remarkable that he could articulate such a profound principle.

"This topic is too broad, and your approach is opportunistic, revealing your true intentions!"

Xu Bingzhong, however, was magnanimous and did not lose his composure. Since he had been refuted by a junior, he did not continue the argument. Instead, he advised, "Nephew, even if you are determined to put principles into practice, you don't necessarily have to join the military. You could start with a career in government. Since the rebel Zhang Xianzhong fled far away, Huguang is now a peaceful land. Besides, the new army organized by the provincial governor's office is not a good place to be..."

Huguang is a peaceful land? Wang Kefan smiled ambiguously and clasped his hands, saying, "The recruitment notice is vague. I only know that this new army is called the Gongyi Camp, and I have many questions about it. I would like to ask my teacher for guidance."

"Alright, since you are so persistent, I will tell you about the origins of the Gongyi Camp. However, this is under the jurisdiction of the Censorate, and I am not fully aware of all the details."

"Censorate? Shouldn't military affairs be under the jurisdiction of the Military Commandant's Office?" Wang Kefan was puzzled. The Ming provincial government was divided into three departments: the Department of Civil Administration, the Censorate, and the Military Commandant's Office, with their heads similar to modern provincial governors, provincial court presidents, and provincial military commanders. The Gongyi Camp was clearly a military unit, yet it was under the jurisdiction of the court system, which seemed quite absurd.

"This is a long story, and it starts with the origins of the Gongyi Camp." Xu Bingzhong took a sip of tea and slowly explained, "Since the Jiajing era, the military households of the garrisons have mostly become ineffective, and Huguang, without border threats, has further neglected its military preparations..."

Xu Bingzhong explained in detail from beginning to end, and Wang Kefan finally understood that the Gongyi Camp was a new army created by He Tengjiao, not part of the regular Ming army, and thus not under the jurisdiction of the Military Commandant's Office but the Censorate.

This was a special phenomenon during the transition of dynasties. If this had happened ten years ago, any provincial governor who dared to do this would have been locked up and executed.

Xu Bingzhong continued, "However, the new Gongyi Camp is just starting, with many issues to be addressed, and some matters still need to be coordinated with the Military Commandant's Office. For example, the new army in Wuchang is organized by the Wuchang Military Inspector, Du Yinxin."

Wang Kefan nodded. Du Yinxin was a well-known figure in history, one of the few outstanding officials in the Southern Ming, known for his practical and adaptable approach. Unfortunately, he was always suppressed by people like He Tengjiao and could not fully realize his ambitions, eventually dying of illness in the army.

With such a pragmatic superior, the new Gongyi Camp in Wuchang should be quite good.

"Is the current Huguang General Zuo Liangyu?" Wang Kefan asked.

"Indeed, General Zuo is a loyal and valiant general. I hear that Governor He (He Tengjiao) also has a close personal relationship with him. However, his subordinates are mostly unruly and undisciplined, worse than bandits. If not for General Zuo's control, there would have been chaos long ago..."

Zuo Liangyu, a loyal and valiant general? Wang Kefan remained outwardly calm but inwardly skeptical.

The literati controlled public opinion and discourse. Zuo Liangyu, supporting the Donglin Party in political struggles, naturally became a loyal and valiant general. He Tengjiao and Zuo Liangyu were not only close personally but also political allies, with a governor and a general in a honeymoon period.

However, what He Tengjiao did not foresee was that Zuo Liangyu would soon stage a "purge of the court."

He Tengjiao's ambitions were not small. While maintaining a close relationship with Zuo Liangyu, he was also busy recruiting a new army, deliberately bypassing Zuo Liangyu, the Huguang General, and having the Censorate responsible for organizing the Gongyi Camp, aiming to create a force loyal to himself.

In fact, this was a good thing. The new Gongyi Camp had unclear responsibilities and unclear leadership, providing more opportunities for maneuvering once one joined...

Xu Bingzhong introduced the situation in the army and then advised again, "Yunta, the army is full of fierce and brutal men, coarse and ignorant of loyalty and righteousness. A gentleman should avoid them. How can you willingly degrade yourself to be among them? Moreover, weapons are blind, and battlefields are dangerous. You are still young and may not understand the risks. If anything happens, what will your parents do? You must think carefully before joining the army!"

These words were heartfelt. Given Xu Bingzhong's position, he could only say so much. For a scholar, joining the army was a serious blemish, detrimental to personal development and fraught with danger, making it a poor and unworthy choice.

Wang Kefan was somewhat troubled. From the perspective of Ming literati, Xu Bingzhong was genuinely concerned and repeatedly advised for his benefit. Insisting on his own views might seem inconsiderate.

But he understood that the opportunity to organize a new army was rare, and he had to take this step.

In the Ming Dynasty, scholars were esteemed while soldiers were despised. Joining the army was a shocking and unconventional act, and his family, including the Liu clan, would certainly not understand. Xu Bingzhong, as the county magistrate and a close friend of his father, could help persuade the Liu clan and reduce family resistance if he supported him.

Unfortunately, he had to hurt Xu Bingzhong's feelings.

Wang Kefan stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the ancient cypress in the courtyard, suddenly brushing off his blue robe and recited:

"Should I live or die for the sake of the country, how can I avoid it based on fortune or misfortune!"

Xu Bingzhong's eyes lit up, then turned red, and instantly became pale. After a moment of hesitation, he stammered, "Is there a complete poem?"

Wang Kefan turned and bowed, answering, "I am ashamed, it is just a fragment I came across, expressing my lifelong aspirations."

"It makes me seem petty, sigh..." Xu Bingzhong muttered, suddenly stood up, adjusted his hat and clothes, and deeply bowed to Wang Kefan, "Yunta, with such aspirations, you deserve my respect!"

...

With Xu Bingzhong's personal recommendation letter to Du Yinxin and a letter to the Liu clan, Wang Kefan left contentedly, leaving Xu Bingzhong in the inner hall, lost in thought.

The literati valued moral cultivation. By elevating his decision to join the army to the level of national righteousness, Wang Kefan made it irresistible and impossible to dissuade. If Xu Bingzhong had not been quick-witted and bowed in acknowledgment, he would have lost face in the scholarly community.

Xu Bingzhong suddenly realized.

Is Wang Kefan using me as a pawn? What a despicable person!

However, those two lines of poetry were truly brilliant, revealing a strong and resolute spirit!

With such a poignant verse, an awkward situation became elegant. The elder was magnanimous, and the young man had the backbone of bamboo. If Wang Kefan could achieve something in the army, today's incident would become a fine story.

Can Wang Kefan succeed? Xu Bingzhong was actually somewhat hopeful.

...

After bidding farewell to Xu Bingzhong, Wang Kefan found the clerk Zheng Xuan, invited him to the best wine shop in the county, and reserved a private room for a few drinks.

As they drank and became warm, their relationship quickly deepened. Wang Kefan entrusted two servants to Zheng Xuan to return to Hengshi to sell the land, then paid the bill and left for the dock alone.

He boarded a night boat, sailed out of the Jun River, entered the Yangtze River, and traveled downstream for three hundred miles. The next afternoon, he arrived in Wuchang and went to the Military Inspector's Office to submit his application to join the army.

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