In the Council Hall, apart from Mu Qing who was merely pretending to be a child, everyone else were natives of the Yuan Dynasty. It was the Mongols who had destroyed their families and homes. They had no idea what high-ranking court officials were like, but the wickedness of the Mongols they had witnessed since childhood was beyond description even if spoken of for three days and three nights.
Those Mongols were nothing but bloodsucking leeches, seizing whatever they laid eyes on. Whenever Mongol soldiers appeared, it was like a plague of locusts sweeping through. Mongol officials were even more detestable—they did nothing but invent excuses to extort money, spending their days indulging in wine and pleasure.
They had initially assumed that those officials only began their debauchery after passing the imperial examinations and securing official positions. Little did they know, these officials couldn’t even read Chinese characters before taking office.
Were the Mongols truly favored by heaven? What gave them such privilege?
The rough-spoken men cursed vehemently, not even bothering to target specific individuals but instead denouncing all Mongols collectively.
Mu Qing rubbed his face and remained silent. After all, these uncles and elders had only encountered Mongols who oppressed and exploited them; they had never witnessed the lives of ordinary Mongol commoners. It was natural for them to assume that all Mongols lived in luxury and comfort.
Where there was a first and second video, a third would surely follow. This episode featured Fan Meng—who knew what the next one would cover?
If Old Zhu learned that while they were rebelling in the Central Plains, Mongol and Semu commoners were also launching uprisings on the grasslands, would he consider uniting with Mongols, Semu people, and other ethnic groups to cause trouble for the court?
Mu Qing pondered this and thought such a development wasn’t impossible. However, it was out of the question for now—the Mongols were too deeply resented, making cooperation nearly impossible.
Indeed, even the mild-tempered Old Li, his beard trembling with anger, had joined the chorus of curses.
Li Shanchang was truly accomplished in both literary and military arts, yet he always prided himself as a orthodox scholar.
As a “weak, bookish intellectual,” he was well aware of how difficult it was for Han Chinese to pass the imperial examinations, and he knew even better how hollow the titles of Mongol and Semu Jinshi scholars were.
He understood that most Mongol officials were poorly educated, but he never imagined they could brazenly write rebellious poems and still evade punishment.
He had heard about the massive purge in Henan Province’s official circles over a decade ago. The incident had caused quite a stir back then, but after the emperor assumed personal rule, he suppressed the matter. Few knew the specifics—who would have thought that before Fan Meng impersonated an Imperial Envoy, such events had occurred?
Thankfully, he never became a court official. If his superiors had been illiterate Mongol officials, his talents would have been buried forever—truly a wasted life.
Nearby, after scolding his son, Old Zhu continued staring at the light screen, though this time his expression was filled with bitter resentment.
The Mongol cavalry was no longer what it had been during their conquests. The Mongols now ruling over them couldn’t even fully comprehend Chinese characters—yet they had maintained their dynasty for nearly a century. If they could do it, so could he as emperor.
Damn it, he at least knew more Chinese characters than the Mongols. If the Mongols couldn’t rule properly, they should yield the throne to those who could. The world belonged to the capable—no one said someone named Zhu couldn’t become emperor.
The heavenly voice claimed Liu Futong was the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty—but was the heavenly voice always right?
Hell, Old Zhu would concede to anything in this life except defeat.
Mu Qing sensed the blazing fighting spirit emanating from his father and edged away, rubbing his arms.
Though he didn’t know what Old Zhu was thinking, he had a feeling it was nothing good.
【Drunk and emboldened, Fan Meng scrawled a rebellious poem on the wall of the Henan Province office. When he sobered up, he was terrified, convinced he was doomed—for rebellion was a crime punishable by execution of one’s entire clan. His Mongol superiors were already harsh toward Han Chinese; they’d suspend his salary even without cause. If he actually committed an offense, his whole family would surely suffer.】
【To his astonishment, none of the Mongols could understand the poem he’d written—not a single one. They merely thought this young Fan had defaced the wall improperly and sought excuses to bully him further.】
【The provincial office wasn’t solely staffed by Mongols; there were also many Han clerks and officials. Those Han who could enter the provincial office either had talent or powerful connections. While the Mongols failed to grasp the rebellious verse, the Han recognized it immediately.】
【Brother Fan had neither strong backing nor many close friends. His entry into the provincial office relied mainly on seniority and his scant few allies. Fortunately, the Patrolling Censor overseeing Henan, who had prior ties to him, smoothed things over before the Mongol officials, and the matter was dropped.】
【The newly arrived censor helped Brother Fan transition from a contract worker to a formally appointed civil servant. However, this kindness only went so far—he secured Brother Fan an official position but left the issue of his salary unresolved.】
【As mentioned earlier, during the Yuan Dynasty, a crucial prerequisite for holding powerful office was being Mongol, or at least Semu. Mongols and Semu people could hold primary appointments, while Han Chinese—whether through imperial examinations or other means—could only serve as deputies. Even the rare Han who secured a primary post were overseen by a Mongol superior and Semu deputy, facing greater restrictions than in deputy roles.】
【The Yuan Dynasty’s Supervising Censor patrol system was quite complex, with varying rules across different periods. However, Patrolling Censors either toured quarterly, biannually, or in early September each year. They were itinerant inspectors, not permanent residents of the provincial office.】
【Brother Fan’s salary had been suspended by a Mongol official. Even though a fellow Han, the provincial censor, granted him formal status, without the Mongol superior’s approval, he couldn’t receive his due pay.】
【The Supervising Censor merely patrolled by regulation and wouldn’t remain in Henan Province indefinitely. He wouldn’t risk disputing with Mongols over an insignificant minor figure. Han were inherently subordinate to Mongols; attempting to argue was futile and could even jeopardize himself.】
【Having narrowly escaped death and gained formal appointment, Brother Fan’s fear gave way to fury once the danger passed. What he wanted wasn’t just the position but also his wages—what use was a title without pay? Wasn’t that still leaving him with no means to live?】
【Since the rebellious poem incident caused no stir in the office, Brother Fan realized the Mongols looming over him weren’t all-powerful. The tiger he feared was merely paper. Secretly, he resolved to eliminate them all one day!】
General Hua Yun slapped his thigh, “Well said!”
Geng Zaicheng smacked his lips, “If only we had wine now—such an exhilarating scene calls for a drink.”
Xu Da was about to agree when he suddenly remembered their surroundings. He quickly straightened up and continued watching the light screen, pretending not to know Geng Zaicheng, who suggested drinking in public.
Not long ago, Elder Brother had reiterated military discipline—aside from forbidding harassment of civilians, the most crucial rule was to avoid causing trouble by drinking. While they might sneak a few drinks privately for amusement, mentioning alcohol in front of Elder Brother clearly showed the punishment hadn’t been severe enough.
Geng Zaicheng immediately noticed Old Xu’s disapproving reaction and realized the inappropriateness of the occasion. He promptly shut his mouth, pretending he had said nothing, and continued listening to the heavenly voice recount how Fan Meng, Brother Fan, forged an imperial decree to eliminate all the Mongol high officials of Henan Province.
【The anti-poetry incident passed without major incident, and Fan Meng had already realized there were many loopholes in the yamen. Enduring days of labor without pay was no way to live. Brother Fan endured and endured until he finally seized the perfect opportunity for revenge.】
【In 1339 AD, the fifth year of the Zheng era of the Yuan Dynasty, he chose the Winter Solstice as the day to strike.】
【The Winter Solstice is a highly significant solar term in the lunar calendar. The Yuan Dynasty granted three days off for the New Year and two days for the Winter Solstice, underscoring the festival’s importance. Such a major occasion naturally called for lavish banquets, and unsurprisingly, Brother Fan was assigned to remain on duty at the yamen.】
【While the high officials in the city closed their doors to revel in song and dance, defenses inside and outside Bianliang City grew lax. Fan Meng had long conspired with his accomplice Huo Bashi on how to impersonate an Imperial Envoy, waiting only for the night of the Winter Solstice to arrive.】
【On the Winter Solstice, the fourteenth day of the eleventh lunar month in the fifth year of the Zheng era, the high officials concluded their official celebrations and returned to their residences to continue merrymaking. Brother Fan, who had received no banquet invitations, sat on duty in the cold, desolate yamen, waiting for the prearranged fake Imperial Envoy to knock.】
【Let’s just say, the last time someone held a grand banquet and didn’t invite the Great Sage Equal of Heaven, Sun Wukong, he went on to wreak havoc in the Heavenly Palace. What Brother Fan was about to do to Henan Province was practically on par with tearing the sky apart.】
【On the day of the Winter Solstice, Huo Bashi and three other companions prepared a wax-sealed secret letter pretending to be an imperial decree. They first seized post horses from a courier station outside the city, then waited for the yamen’s high officials to finish their banquets and return home before riding into the city posing as Imperial Envoys.】
【The plan proceeded smoothly. Huo Bashi and his group rode official horses boldly into the city. The gate guards, hearing their claim of being Imperial Envoys and seeing them mounted on official post horses, never suspected they were impostors. They respectfully ushered the group into the main hall of the provincial yamen.】
【Inside the provincial yamen, Fan Meng, Brother Fan, who had been left on duty, served as their inside man. The two sides performed a convincing act, with Huo Bashi and his companions presenting the wax-sealed secret letter as an imperial decree. Fan Meng immediately ordered the yamen’s messengers to summon the high officials from their residences. Faced with an imperial secret decree, even the highest-ranking officials had to crawl out of their beds.】
【The gate guards never considered the Imperial Envoys might be fake, and neither did the yamen messengers. Upon receiving the order, they hurried to the residences of the high officials to call them. The officials, drunk from daytime banquets and further revelry late into the night at home, were dazed and disoriented. Hearing that an imperial decree had arrived, they rushed to the yamen to receive it, too befuddled to discern its authenticity.】
【Brother Fan took roll call in the main hall of the provincial yamen and waited until everyone had assembled. Once all were present, he immediately closed the doors, produced an iron mace, and swung it wildly. Every high official in attendance thus concluded their mortal journey, departing neatly for the Western Heaven.】
【List of victims is as follows: Henan Province Chief Administrator Yue Lu Tiemuer, Henan Province Left Chancellor Jie Lie, Commander of Bianliang Road Sa Li Ma, Henan Jiangbei Circuit Commissioner of Investigation Wan Zhe Buhua, Judge Jin Gangnu, Secretary Wan Zhe Tu Heide er, Executive Officer Bai Zhu, Supervisor Tu Man, etc.】
【Different historical records show slight variations in the victim list, primarily regarding the name of Henan Province Chief Administrator and the official title of Wan Zhe Buhua. However, these discrepancies are insignificant compared to the crucial fact: with Brother Fan’s sweeping purge, the entire top echelon of Henan Province’s ruling officials was captured in one fell swoop.】
【This was so absurd it reached the pinnacle of absurdity—like Absurdity himself opening the door for Absurdity to come home.】
The Council Hall was eerily silent, with all eyes fixed on Li Shanchang.
Old Li looked up helplessly, “Why is everyone staring at me? When such a major scandal emerges in Henan Province, the court would inevitably suppress the information. Staring at me won’t make me privy to it.”
Zhu Yuanzhang restrained himself repeatedly but ultimately couldn’t resist voicing his soul-searching question, “How has this damned court managed to survive until now?”