THE WEIRD HERMIT 2

Gao Qi taught the princes just within a short period of time. Aside from being outspoken and idealistic, Gao Qi also disliked dealing with bureaucracy and government. As a matter of fact, he even hated all of them. He preferred to stay away from all worldly affairs and lived an anonymous life, same with the hermit who alienated himself from all chaos and complexities of this society. He even refused the high position which was awarded by the emperor. Because he wanted to live freely, not to be restrained by a complicated bureaucratic system.

Nevertheless, if Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty could be tolerant and casually allowed the scholars who refused government positions to wander freely all over the country, then the Hongwu Emperor was a different type. The Hongwu Emperor was not very fond of idealistic and free-spirited people. He immediately branded this Gao Qi's freestyle as a form of defiance. Plus, this idealistic Gao Qi often wrote poetry without thinking thoroughly, whether poems he made that looked so beautiful would put him in danger or not in the future.

Maybe he did it intentionally, maybe not, God knew. But this matter was certain; Gao Qi's poems had offended the Hongwu Emperor several times. For example, a poetry that depicted the battle between the Hongwu Emperor and Zhang Shicheng in gaining supremacy. Gao Qi implied his disgust inside the poem, and the Hongwu Emperor who saw it became irritated as it meant that the poem also implied disgust towards him. That was just an example, not yet mentioned the other.

Actually, Gao Qi's mindset was more suitable to be applied in Tang Dynasty, which was presumably the most open era of all Chinese dynasties, or even better to be realized in modern times like this 21st century when people are allowed to be friendly with leaders and may even criticize them. Gao Qi seemed to forget, in what era he lived in, and moreover, what kind of leader was governing at that time. Maybe he forgot, or maybe he pretended to forget, that his leader was that kind who wanted the whole country to be obedient to him and must not contradict him even in the slightest. The emperor could have the heart to punish his own son, moreover to the commonalty. More and more anger piled up inside the emperor's heart, and in the end, it exploded in an event.

One day, Wei Guan, the Mayor of Suzhou, chose the former residence of Zhang Shicheng as his new residence. He also told Gao Qi to write calligraphy as a decorative sign at the residence main door. Gao Qi wrote the things which made the emperor angry. He called the former residence of Zhang Shicheng as "Long Fan Hu Ju" - the term specially used just for Imperial Residence. Thence, did it mean that he had any intention to support the rising of that emperor's mortal enemy?

Basically, the emperor had also been furious with Wei Guan who chose the former residence of Zhang Shicheng - the emperor's former mortal enemy - to run the mayor's government. In the eyes of the emperor, it meant that Wei Guan wanted the rising of Zhang Shicheng. Gao Qi was also involved, not only because he complied with Wei Guan's request, but his writings also implied the same rebellion tendency. Finally, the emperor exploded. Gao Qi was sentenced to death by Waist Chop.

The execution was very sadistic because it did not make people die immediately, yet had them struggle in agony while dying from bleeding and lack of internal organs. The condemned was being sliced in two at the waist by an executioner. A person's major organs were on the upper half of the body, the condemned would not die immediately after execution and would still be alive for some time before death - but it was a very torturous life. He was also dried in the sun. The process of the death was really horrific. Some information even said that Gao Qi was sliced into eight parts.

Even the emperor came to witness the death processing of Gao Qi by himself, since it was rare for an emperor to come and see the process of execution. This Gao Qi's execution, actually was not only because the Hongwu Emperor got offended by Gao Qi. But more to the manifesto. Using the tragic death of Gao Qi, the emperor wanted to threaten the writers and other scholars so they did not dare to be over free-spirited and even vocal, instead, they should submit to, and fully obey, the orders of the authorities. Besides Gao Qi, many scholars and men of letters were severely punished and died while serving their sentences only because of their writings. But the emperor's strategy worked. Since then, none of scholars dared to express his mindset bluntly.

On the other hand, Zhu Su felt uncomfortable as hearing his father sentenced Wei Guan and Gao Qi to death. Both were his former teachers. Especially Gao Qi, whose literary talents and philosophical thinking was incredible in Zhu Su's point of view.

"Laozi once said; There are four types of leaders. The worst leader is the one being hated by his people. The next worst is a leader who is feared. The second best leader is the leader who is loved and praised."

"Why doesn't the leader who is loved by the people become the best leader?" Confused, Zhu Su asked Gao Qi, who smiled in a mysterious manner.

"Because, the best leader is, the one whom people don't even know that he is a leader."

"If people don't know that he is a leader, then how does he become the best leader?" Zhu Di asked.

"Three kinds of leaders I mentioned earlier are those who rely on imaging politics. They are leaders who are hungry for possessions, fame, and power. But this one is different. The country is governed well, everything is fine and in order, and the country can enjoy peace and prosperity, all is because of him, but people don't even know that he is the one working hard for that. But why does he do that? The answer is very simple; because he is not hungry for fame and power. All he wants is simply a peaceful country and the people live in prosperity. Whether the people know him or not, that no longer becomes his concern. This is why Laozi said that he is the best leader."

Zhu Su, Zhu Di, and the other princes nodded since they had fully understood.

"A country is the same as the human body. Ruling a country is the same as treating a human body. Human has heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and other organs. It is the same with a country that has an emperor, a prime minister, the government officials, and others to govern the country. So it also gives additional benefits to you if you study medicine. In a way, the theories and philosophies of medical science can help you solve the problem of statehood."

"Aha, in that case, Fifth Brother Su must be very skilled. Fifth Brother Su is very fond of medical science, is that right, Su?" Zhu Biao asked Zhu Su.

Gao Qi stared deeply at Zhu Su. "Really, Your Highness?"

"Yes, Sir!" Zhu Su answered enthusiastically. "I really like medicine, because it is an incredible science, by mastering it we can save people from death, help people live a long life, and heal people who are suffering from illness."

"Wow!" That was the only response from Gao Qi. But even though his comment was brief, a tremendous surprise clearly emerged from his face. Apparently, it was beyond his expectation that there would be a prince who said that he liked medicine, whereas in general the princes' hobbies were literature, music, poetry, calligraphy, and their favorite book was the classics.

On the other hand, these Gao Qi's words made Zhu Su become more persevere with his passion. He was convinced that he had made the right choice. To study medical science.

Such a shame.