Extra 5: "Spirit and Character: Han Mingyuan"

In the office of the Censorate, the candles were lit all night long.

Han Mingyuan scribbled furiously at his desk, his pen swift and flowing, his ink flowing freely, just like the turmoil in his heart. On his desk lay not an impeachment memorial, but a detailed proposal for rectifying the administration of the Jiangnan Canal Transport System and eliminating excessive taxes.

The cool moonlight outside the window reflected his thin yet upright figure. The cuffs of his official robes were frayed, but he was oblivious. Ever since the Empress took power, purged the remnants of Prince Jing's followers, and vigorously implemented new policies, he had felt a long-lost surge of energy surge within him. This was no longer the past, struggling to survive within a corrupt and rigid system. Now he could truly unleash his ambitions, forge a new path for the world, for the people suffering in dire straits!

"Teacher, it's late, you should rest." The clerk grinding beside him was his new disciple, a young Jinshi with clear eyes.

Han Mingyuan didn't even raise his head as he wrote, "The grain transport in Jiangnan has accumulated problems for decades. It has exploited the people, enriched itself, and even colluded with bandits, causing endless harm. Since Your Majesty is determined to clean up the world, such chronic diseases need strong medicine to cure them! How can you slack off just because it's late at night?" His voice was not loud, but it was as resonant as metal and stone, and was particularly clear in the silent night.

The clerk looked at the few new strands of white hair at his teacher's temples, wanting to speak but stopping himself. He knew his teacher's temperament well: once he threw himself into official duties, he would become completely obsessed. It was precisely this kind of character that had allowed him to remain unbending even when he overthrew Zhao Kai and Liu Mingde, and even faced Prince Jing's conspiracy head-on.

"It's just... Teacher, I've heard that the Jiangnan bureaucracy is deeply entangled. This proposal will affect the interests of too many people, and I'm afraid..." The clerk's face was filled with worry. While the new policy was good, touching interests was often more difficult than touching souls.

Han Mingyuan finally stopped writing, raised his head, and glared at his disciples. "What are you afraid of? Are you afraid that they'll impeach me? Or are you afraid that they'll secretly trip me up?" The corners of his mouth curved into an almost cold arc. "I, Han Mingyuan, wasn't afraid of swords and axes in the past, let alone now?"

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the bright moon. His voice slowed, yet carried greater weight: "What is the purpose of reading the sages' books? Not for high office and wealth, nor for self-preservation. It is to 'establish a mind for heaven and earth, and a destiny for the people!' Your Majesty has treated me as a national hero, allowing me to realize my ambitions. If I remain silent out of fear of disaster, and retreat out of fear of difficulty, how am I any different from those who occupy positions for nothing, seeking mesmerizing opportunities and seeking to gain a living?!"

He turned abruptly, his sleeves stirring up a gust of wind, causing the candlelight to flicker. "This new policy is the 'right way' of our time! Eliminating lingering abuses and benefiting the people is the greatest 'loyalty to the emperor and patriotism'! Anyone who dares to obstruct it will be an enemy of the people of the world. My pen, Han Mingyuan, will be a sword hanging over their heads!"

He returned to his desk, picked up the written report, and carefully examined every suggestion and every piece of data. This was the result of months of covert investigation by his trusted aides, and the evidence was overwhelming.

"Tomorrow, I will submit this proposal," he said resolutely. "Not only will I submit it, but I will also explain it clearly and thoroughly at the court, in front of all the officials! I want to see who dares to risk the wrath of the world and stand in the way of this path that benefits the country and the people!"

The clerk looked at the ever-present flame in his teacher's eyes, and his slight worry was instantly replaced by a surge of pride. He nodded solemnly, "I am willing to follow you, teacher. Even if there are thousands of people against me, I will go!"

Han Mingyuan looked at him, a flicker of relief in his eyes. He knew the road to reform was long, requiring the efforts of more than one generation. Perhaps his solid rock could crack, and those who followed would follow that crack, letting in more light.

He sat down again, picked up his pen again, and solemnly added a few additional suggestions at the end of the proposal on establishing independent supervision to ensure the implementation of the new policy.

The night deepened, and all was silent. Only within the Censorate's office, a single candlelight, and the pure heart of a man who stood up for the people and was determined to bring about reform, burned brightly until dawn.