Changes in Heaven were not enough to fear; the ancestors were not enough to emulate; the words of others were not enough to heed.
With his own shoulders, he bore the slander of the world; with his solitary resolve, he shook a century of accumulated abuses.
Stubborn Chancellor, Stubborn Chancellor-what did it matter if his teachings were branded wild-fox Zen?
Later generations might condemn his obstinacy or admire his lonely courage, but none could deny...
No courage in that age, no devotion in that age, surpassed his.
Wei Zi's voice fell silent, and the entire hall was still.
After that deathly silence came a gathering buzz!
"Heretical!"
"Does this boy mean to rebel against Heaven?!"
The ministers in the hall whispered among themselves. Some clenched their Court Tablets, some sucked in a cold breath, and some shook their heads again and again.
The young officials from the Censorate and the Hanlin Academy exchanged looks. Not one dared answer.
Wang Kan stood among the ranks, momentarily stunned.
He trusted Wei Zi's character, and trusted his heart even more.
But [Changes in Heaven were not enough to fear; the ancestors were not enough to emulate; the words of others were not enough to heed].
To a man who grounded his life in the words of the sages, those three statements were a thunderclap in his ears.
Upon the Imperial Throne, the emperor watched the young man prostrate on the floor and listened to the commotion filling the hall without saying a word.
"Insolent madness!!"
Fang Qi rushed out of the ranks, his Court Tablet nearly jabbing Wei Nisheng in the face, his beard and hair trembling:
"Wei Nisheng! Do you know what you are saying?!
Heaven is the Lord on High!
Calamities and anomalies are warnings from Heaven!
A sovereign