Worthy Emperor: It has come to my attention that the number of peasants in the empire who have taken up banditry now numbers over 3,000. Due to the poor harvest of last season this number has resulted as well as an increase in membership in the White Lotus Sect. My fellow Grand Secretaries: I realize that you as well as I have most likely not left the Forbidden City for many years. Therefore you may be unaware of this White Lotus sect. Therefore, I will tell you. The White Lotus sect is a band of heretics that formed during the previous Yuan dynasty. They base their beliefs on the Buddhist religion rather than on the wise sayings of the master. Their purpose now is to overthrow the government and dethrone the son of the most high rather than follow the Way and live a life of righteousness and respect for the Master.
Our previous ancestors have been unsuccessful in stopping these barbarians. Though they are fellow citizens, they have turned themselves into the equivalent of the barbaric Jesuits. Their disregard for the way and for our government cannot be tolerated. Whoever, we must not be too harsh with them. The Master said, “The common people can be made to follow a path but not to understand it.” ( Analect 8.9) If we were to imprison the leaders of the White Lotus sect, namely the chief leader Tang Sai'er, the common people would be left without someone to lead them down the wrong path. We then would need to step in as those who are learned in the way and set the example and give them the correct path to follow. As we all know so well, the master said, “Guide them 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.” (Analect 2.3) We must all reflect inward and rethink our behavior. Is our behavior that of one who obeys the sayings of the master? Are we striving on the path along the Way? We would all do well to understand the position we hold and realize that our actions have drastic effects on the empire. “The prevalence of thieves was a source of troubles to Chi K'ang Tzu who asked the advice of Confucius. Confucius answered, 'if you yourself were not a man of desires, no one would steal even if stealing carried a reward.'” (Analect 7.18) The ever-wise Master tells us that the common people are merely a reflection of our own selves. We must first remove our own desires and distractions before we can expect the common people to reform themselves. I ask the members of this counsel to all think on my words and I thank the Son of Heaven for his time and patience.