Most Worthy Emperor,

As your loyal grand secretary, I am obligated to bring to your attention matters of utmost concern. For this reason, I report my distress with your choice of departing from the sacred traditions in neglecting the education of your first son in the teachings of the Master, and promoting your younger son above him. While it is true that the bureaucracy is faced by numerous issues—the flooding of the Yellow River, banditry of pirates from the east, the barbarians to the north and south—they should not distract from the issue of succession. Indeed, does the Master not say, "Guide (the people) by edicts, keep them in line with punishments and the common people will stay out of trouble but will have no sense of shame. Guide them by virtue, keep them in line with the rites, and they will, besides having a sense of shame, reform themselves" (2:3). Like a son to his father, the people look to you, most excellent Emperor, for moral guidance. Is it acceptable for a family's eldest son does not receive the formal training to succeed his father in his duties, whatever their family standing might be? No, instead, we follow the Master's examples, and have the youngest defer to the eldest. The previous Emperor did so, most correctly designating you, his first son as his heir, and it is of utmost importance that our most benevolent ruler do likewise. The Master says, "Observe what a man has in mind to do when his father is living, and then observe what he does when his father is dead. If, for three years, he makes no changes to his father's ways, he can be said to be a good son" (1:11). The sanctity of these traditions cannot be overstated.

I never doubt that it is the intention of you, most worthy Wanli, to rule justly and with supreme benevolence. However, as other issues present themselves to your compassionate judgment, please do not put aside the most important task of the tutelage of your first-born son. The Master warns us that a man must not allow himself to be swayed from the path of righteousness by the distractions of a beautiful woman, and prior dynasties have become frayed and torn over the issue of succession. It is for this reason that the Emperor's harem of palace women exists: to ensure the stability of government and the survival of the throne. I am also alarmed at your decision to ignore the recommendation of the First Grand Secretary that your first son be formally designated your heir, given at the time that your younger son was born[1]. Surely the son of the most high appreciates the most sincere, diligent recommendations of the Grand Secretariat towards this most sacred of issues?

As your humble grand secretary, I would recommend engaging the most able scholars of the Hanlin Academy to begin tutoring your first-born son in the classical texts in order to better prepare him for his proper duties in the future. As the Master said, "To serve high officials when abroad, and my elders when at home, in arranging funerals not to dare to spare myself, and to be able to hold my drink—these are trifles that give me no trouble" (9:16), and when your highness follows the path of wisdom decreed by the master, the other troubles faced by the great kingdom will be less, and more easily dealt with. Unless this recommendation is immediately adopted, son of the most high, your ancestors will cry out from their graves, and the foundation of the state will crumble.

I submit this with unlimited loyalty and devotion to the country,

The Grand Secretary from Kaifeng